It is one of the largest gatherings of people of its kind, with an estimated two million coming together for what is the journey of a lifetime for many.
But amid the baking sun and thronging crowds, how do pilgrims stay cool and hydrated?
From policemen spraying cool water from backpack-mounted hoses to air-conditioned marble floors, Hajj officials are attempting to make the summer heat of Mecca as manageable as possible. And last week it was announced that huge folding umbrellas will be installed in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque.
“Just when I thought I could not take it anymore, the police officers come spraying water, cold and refreshing," said Jordanian Zayed Al Dakheel, 37, of his Hajj last year.
"When you have been walking for 500 metres and you are sprayed with this water, it boosts your energy to continue, it is like taking a dose of energy.
“As soon as people spot the water police, they would race towards them, you’ll see dozens gathering around one policeman; some would also ask him to shower them from head to toe.”
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Hajj pilgrimage
All you need to know
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This week, about two million pilgrims will converge on Mecca, presenting the Saudi authorities with a unique logistical challenge.
In between the heavy crowding and exhaustion pilgrims have to go through in order to complete their Hajj pillars, a little water is “like a gift from God”, said the 37-year-old from Jordan.
Inside Al Haram – where the sacred Kaaba lies and worshippers perform Tawaf and Saai - the marble floor remains cool, due to powerful air-conditioning from underneath.
There are fans all across and the covered areas of the mosque are air-conditioned.
It is also common practice for pilgrims, or benefactors in general, to buy boxes of water, juice or fruits from supermarket in Mecca so they can be distributed for free to pilgrims. Trucks drive around Mount Arafat to distribute refreshments.
“We were walking towards the Haram and it was very hot and the distance was far, then a man offered to drop us in his air-conditioned van," said Mr Al Dakheel.
“There were also motorists volunteering rides to pilgrims. When we asked how much, he said it was voluntary and just asked us to pray for him.”
Such vans and micro-buses were quite common, he added.
The UAE's Hajj mission team has been investing in new facilities to provide pilgrims respite.
“For the first time in Arafat history, a 25-tonne air-conditioning unit is being added to a tent,” said Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji, from the UAE Hajj mission.
“Each tent has four units of AC, adding up to 100 tons. The temperature inside the tent can drop down to 18 degrees.”
In addition, fans that spray water have been added across the pathways between tents at the UAE camp sites. The mission has also prepared power generators to supply all of their camps in case they run out of power. This year a total of 6,228 Emiratis have been granted approval to perform Hajj – in addition to 400 pilgrims who work for the mission.
“Umbrellas that are equipped with fans can also be found at the market in Mecca," Al Tunaiji added.
Read more: The Saudi factory that stitches the Kaaba's gold-laced cover
As for the Haram itself, he said it has been equipped with a cooling system that works on many levels.
Physical changes have also been made to the Haram to congestion.
Moreover, the new levels that have been built at the Jamarat – where pilgrims perform the stoning – to eased congestion to a great extent.
“Now pilgrims can go up to the second or third level to avoid overcrowding, only older pilgrims and those who cannot climb the stairs remain on the ground level,” explained Mr Al Dakheel.
“The marble is cooled, there are fans all around the Haram, inside and outside,” said Mira Mohammed, an Emirati pilgrim, who arrived in Mecca on Saturday to perform Hajj for the first time.
She added that she was provided with a fanned umbrella that sprays water from her Hajj agency.
“It is called the 'Mecca umbrella', but we have not used it yet. I think it will be helpful later in Mina and Arafa,” she added.
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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