JEDDAH – As preparations for Hajj go in full swing, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority announced on Monday its readiness for the pilgrimage with 2,631 staff and 105 emergency centers, Saudi Press agency reported July 24.
The organization plans to offer emergency services for pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The services will also cover all the roads which lead to the holy city, as well as other sacred sites. It will also be serving the guests of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
According to its official announcement, around 2,631 individuals, including doctors, specialists, administrators, and technicians will be on shift in Makkah and Madinah to serve the expected two million pilgrims.
Moreover, the Red Crescent prepared more than 69 emergency centers at the sacred sites of Mina, Muzdalifa and Mount Arafat, as well as the paths leading to these areas.
In addition, a sum of 36 emergency centers will be spread across Makkah, as well as 15 ambulances and 27 motorcycles.
In Madinah, 21 emergency centers will be available across the holy city including the area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque and more than ten ambulance centers would be distributed between airport sites and land entry points.
Mandatory for Fit
On its behalf, the Association of British Hujjaj UK has advised its pilgrims to avoid heatstroke and exhaustion.
The Birmingham-based national association stated that “temperatures in Makkah can reach 46°C during August.”
Health experts at the association warn that Hajj pilgrims, specifically the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases, are at “high risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke due to overcrowding, lack of acclimatization, strenuous physical activity, and dehydration.”
Signs of heat exhaustion can include tiredness, weakness, feeling faint, or dizzy, a decrease in blood pressure, a headache, muscle cramps, feeling and being sick, heavy sweating, intense thirst, having a rapid pulse, urinating less often, and having much darker urine than usual.
“Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can also be avoided by drinking plenty of water, taking a cool shower or bath, sprinkling water over the skin or clothing, and keeping a damp cloth on the back of the neck,” the statement advised.
Islamic Shari`ah considers Hajj obligatory only for adult Muslims who are physically fit and financially capable of sustaining the life of their families during their absence in Hajj.