THIS is with reference to the report ‘Death toll tops 1,000 after Haj marked by extreme heat’ (Dawn.Com, June 20). The criticism of authorities in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the tragic loss of lives during the recent Haj is rather misplaced. Some of the overzealous commentators on social media have gone overboard, calling for the Muslims to boycott Haj. This itself was tragic.

Haj, which is one of the largest religious gatherings globally, attracts millions of pilgrims annually.

The convergence of such a massive number of people in a relatively small geographical area presents significant logistical challenges. It is important to note that Haj has always been an occasion of large-scale commercial activities, even before the advent of Islam in the region. It has historically been a source of income for the inhabitants of the Hijaz region.

This year, extreme weather conditions, with temperatures soaring to 51.8 degree Celsius, have undeniably contributed to the unfortunate fatalities. Another critical factor exacerbating the situation was the presence of unregistered pilgrims.

A case in point is the fact that out of the 658 Egyptians who unfortunately passed away, 630 were unregistered. A collective total of 1,081 deaths out of the 1.83 million total pilgrims, gives you a mortality rate of approximately 0.0601 per cent.

Specifically, among all the 150,000 Pakistani pilgrims, there were a total of 58 deaths recorded, which is about 0.0387pc. Indonesia, with a total of 240,000 pilgrims, reported 183 deaths, accounting for 0.0763pc of its pilgrims. These statistics indicate that despite the tragic losses, most pilgrims were able to complete their pilgrimage safely.

While it is absolutely vital to critically examine and address any instances of mismanagement by Saudi authorities during Haj, it is also crucial to recognise the impact of extreme weather conditions and the inherent challenges of managing such a large-scale event. Constructive feedback and collaborative efforts between authorities and pilgrims can help improve future arrangements, enhancing the safety and experience of all participants.

Maj (retd) Dr Usman Farooq
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2024