The official Egyptian Tourism Hajj mission of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, currently in the holy land, has received the circular issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah containing some important precautionary instructions, based on forecasts by the Saudi General Authority of Meteorology of high temperatures on the Day of Arafat, 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH, while pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat, which is considered the greatest pillar of the Hajj rituals.
Samia Samy, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs, Head of the Egyptian Tourism Hajj Affairs Office and Head of the Higher Committee for Hajj and Umrah, explained that the instructions contained in the circular for this blessed day include the following:
Pilgrims should perform the Dhuhr and Asr prayers inside the camps and not head to Namirah Mosque or Jabal al-Rahmah during peak hours, to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
The need to drink plenty of water and use chilled water flasks regularly.
Distributing protective umbrellas to pilgrims for use while moving within the holy sites, especially at midday.
Samia Samy stressed that protecting pilgrims from the risks of high temperatures and raising their awareness of ways to prevent heat stress are at the top of the mission's priorities this season, as part of the integrated plan and the directives of Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, to deliver a safe tourism Hajj season and provide the highest levels of comfort and healthcare for the Guests of Al-Rahman among Egyptian pilgrims.
In this context, the ministry's Central Administration of Tourism Companies has addressed the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies to circulate to all tourism companies organizing tourism Hajj trips the need to fully comply with the instructions contained in the said circular and to alert tourism pilgrims accordingly, out of concern for their safety.
