Abdullahi Usman, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has urged pilgrims to remain indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to the rise in temperature during the day.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Saudi Arabian government issued a warning about extreme heat conditions expected during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage on Sunday through its National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
NCM asked pilgrims to take precautions as daytime temperatures were projected to soar between 40°C and 47°C.
It said the forecast showed a challenging weather pattern marked by intense heat, poor visibility, and the likelihood of thunderstorms.
Addressing journalists in Makkah on Monday, NAHCON chairman said the commission held a meeting with officials from state pilgrims’ boards and agreed that no pilgrim should be outside their tents in Mina or Arafat during the stated hours.
He said, “Yesterday we called all the stakeholders. We met with them and mandated them to announce and tell their people that nobody is allowed to be out of the tent from 10 a.m. till 4 pm.”
“It is not advisable to go out because the temperature is not normal this year. We also advised them to continue drinking water.”
“If it is necessary to be outside, let them go with water in hand. Let them take their umbrellas and use them, just because the temperature is not normal.”
Usman asked the media to help the commission disseminate the information to the pilgrims to adhere to the heatwave warnings.
He added, “So, media, please, you are our eyes; you are our voice to the public. Help us tell our people to regard this instruction,”
