Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here
Saudi Arabia's National Centre of Meteorology has warned of hot and dry weather for pilgrims during Hajj this year.
Up to two million pilgrims from across the world are travelling to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage, which begins on Monday.
Pilgrims will spend a significant amount of the three-day pilgrimage outside, exposed to the hot temperatures of the kingdom during summer.
Temperatures in Makkah are expected to peak at 44ºC during the daytime. It's expected to be significantly cooler at night, but the average minimum night-time temperature is still 30ºC.
The NCM added that there is a risk of poor visibility from dust storms, with the average wind speed estimated to be between 4kph and 10kph.
Follow the map below for live weather in Makkah and Madinah.
Makkah and Madinah latest weather map for pilgrims
What weather precautions should Hajj pilgrims take?
Ministry of Hajj officials have warned pilgrims to take precautions to avoid sunstroke or heat-related injuries.
Authorities will provide umbrellas to pilgrims to protect them from the sun and water to keep them hydrated.
The Ministry of Hajj advised pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink fluids, stay in the shade and avoid going out in the middle of the day.
Authorities said last week that extensive health services were in place in preparation for Hajj.
The health ministry said 32 hospitals and 140 health centres, with a hospital bed capacity of more than six million, are in place to serve pilgrims.
Fans and air-conditioning has been installed at the holy sites throughout the pilgrimage to help pilgrims stay cool.
“All accommodations for Hajj pilgrims will have air conditioning throughout the day to ensure their comfort, along with snacks like ice creams and cold water to help make it easy for pilgrims to deal with the heat,” Hussein Abid, a Hajj guide in Jeddah, told The National.
The Saudi Red Crescent has also issued advice for any pilgrims who do find themselves suffering from heatstroke.
What do pilgrims wear during Hajj?
Hajj officials advised pilgrims to wear shoes to avoid foot injuries.
Pilgrims wear simple clothes during Hajj, and are often seen barefoot.
Men wear two sheets of plain cloth covering the upper and lower body, while women must wear modest clothes that reach their ankles and scarves to cover their hair.
“We advise everyone to wear comfortable clothing and bring only cotton lightweight garments because it is very hot during the day,” said Mr Abid.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
