More than 1.4 million Muslims have begun this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, a year after 1,300 people died, mostly due to the extreme heat.
Saudi authorities say they have stepped up safety precautions for the annual event.
They have planted thousands of trees and installed hundreds of cooling units to help alleviate temperatures forecast to reach 44C (111F).
The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
On the first day of the Hajj, male pilgrims were required to change their clothes for two white cloths and enter the state of Ihram.
In Mecca, the holy city of Saudi Arabia, more than 11.4 million Muslims have started their Hajj pilgrimage this year, one year after 1,300 people perished, primarily as a result of the intense heat.
For the yearly event, Saudi authorities say they have increased safety measures.
With temperatures predicted to reach 44C (111F), they have installed hundreds of cooling units and planted thousands of trees to help mitigate the heat.
In addition, pilgrims who attempt to perform the Hajj without a valid permit risk a 10-year entry ban and a $5,000 (£3,685) fine. Children under the age of twelve are also prohibited.
Officials reported preventing over 269,000 individuals from entering Mecca as of Sunday.
The Hajj, which occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
If they have the funds and physical capacity, every adult Muslim should make the journey at least once in their lifetime.
Male pilgrims were expected to change into two white garments and put on their ihrams on the first day of the Hajj. In addition to covering their heads but not their faces, women dressed modestly.
The pilgrims performed the tawaf, or three-circle, of the Kaaba on their way to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. The Sai, or hills of Safa and Marwa, could be traversed seven times on foot.
Then they went to Mina, which is 5 km (3 miles) away. There, they will stay the night in a tent city before going to Mount Arafat, the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s alleged last sermon, on Thursday.
In order to lessen the effects of the heat, the Saudi health ministry advised the pilgrims to adhere to stringent rules, such as staying out of the sun between 10:00 and 16:00, shading themselves with umbrellas, and drinking plenty of water.
The Hajj minister said that more than 400 cooling units have been installed and that 50,000 square meters (12 acres) of shaded areas have been added.
State TV claims that the Grand Mosque’s cooling system is the biggest in the world.
To lower surface temperatures, more cooled and rubberized roads have also been constructed. Artificial intelligence will be utilized to keep an eye on a fleet of drones and assist in crowd control.
A stampede in Mina in 2015 is said to have killed over 2,300 people.
