Ahmad 
More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived to begin the rituals of Hajj, announcing their Ihram at the start of one of the most significant stages of the pilgrimage, known as the Day of Tarwiyah.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), pilgrims began gathering in large numbers early in the morning, embarking on the first steps of the Hajj journey that will later lead them to the standing at Arafat.
Pilgrims will spend the coming day in Mina, preparing to move towards Mount Arafat on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, known as the Great Standing. They will proceed from Arafat at night to Muzdalifah to collect pebbles in preparation for the stoning of the Jamarat during the days of Tashreeq, rituals symbolizing the rejection of Satan.
In addition to hundreds of thousands of Saudi pilgrims, this year’s Hajj will take place from June 14 to 19. This year’s pilgrimage is exceptional, with Saudi government agencies relying on smart applications to manage pilgrims and crowd control.
On the health front, Saudi authorities have prepared 46 health centers in Arafat and 26 in Mina, as well as several emergency centers at the Jamarat facility and along the pedestrian route. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority has launched an air ambulance service from the helipads surrounding the Grand Mosque in Mecca, aimed at quickly providing emergency medical care to pilgrims.
A severe heat wave hits Egypt starting July 17