Increasing Heat in Bir Ali Prompts Elderly and Disabled Pilgrims to Perform Miqat Inside Buses

The weather in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is growing hotter by the day. Temperatures on Monday (11/5/2026) and Tuesday (12/5/2026) local time were recorded at 40 to 41 degrees Celsius. Considering the increasingly scorching weather, elderly and disabled Hajj pilgrims being transported from Madinah to Makkah are reminded to perform miqat inside the bus when stopping at Masjid Dzulhulaifah, Bir Ali. “Due to temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius, we suggest that our elderly pilgrims perform their intention (ihram) inside the bus, assisted by our bimbad (worship guidance) officers and kloter bimbad colleagues,” said Head of the Bir Ali Special Sector, Divia Ardianto, when met by journalists from the Hajj Media Centre (MCH) on Monday (11/5/2026) afternoon local time. In several situations since the first transport on 30 April 2026, some elderly pilgrims, especially women, have been seen wearing masks while performing their intention at Masjid Dzulhulaifah. “Because if the mothers and fathers continue wearing masks after intending at Bir Ali or in the mosque, it would be invalid. That’s why we suggest intending together inside the bus,” he said. He also expressed gratitude that the Indonesian Hajj pilgrim transport process has gone smoothly so far. Services for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have received attention and appreciation, not only from within the country but also from other nations. This was conveyed by the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah RI, Prof Jaenal Effendi. Jaenal revealed that even kingdom officials from Madinah were present, causing some confusion among pilgrims as almost all exits were temporarily closed. “However, alhamdulillah, everything was resolved through the cooperation of the 35 Bir Ali personnel we have positioned at checkpoints 1 to 8,” he said. Divia stated that pilgrims stopping at Bir Ali are limited to 15-20 minutes to perform sunnah prayers at Masjid Dzulhulaifah. The hope is that before Maghrib, all kloters stopping at Bir Ali can promptly depart for Makkah.