Mecca Weather Reaches 44 Degrees Celsius: Hajj Pilgrims from Aceh Advised to Focus on Preparing for Armuzna

Sat, 16 May 2026, 17:19 WIB | By Wisnu Arto Subari | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Social Policy

Extreme weather conditions in Saudi Arabia this Hajj season pose a serious challenge for pilgrims. With temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius, Hajj pilgrims from Aceh and Indonesia in general are advised to maintain their stamina and avoid pushing themselves to perform sunnah (optional) prayers that are physically demanding in the lead-up to the peak of the Hajj.

These scorching conditions have the potential to drain energy and cause extreme fatigue, which could affect pilgrims’ health as they face the series of peak Hajj rituals in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).

Hajj guidance officer from the Aceh Province’s Hajj and Umrah Guidance Group (KBIHU) Ibnu Mas’ud, Abdullah AR, reminded pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with health risks, to prioritize their physical fitness.

“The weather temperature reaching 44 degrees Celsius is quite draining for anyone. Pilgrims, especially those who are not physically fit, are advised not to force themselves to go to the Grand Mosque for sunnah prayers,” Abdullah said through Media Indonesia, Saturday (16/5).

Abdullah suggested that pilgrims perform sunnah prayers in congregation at mosques near their hotels or in their respective accommodations. This step is important to conserve energy for the upcoming wukuf procession and other mandatory Hajj rituals that require extra strength.

Special advice is also given to pilgrims who are performing Hajj Tamattu’ and have completed their obligatory Umrah. They are asked to postpone performing additional Umrah until all the pillars and obligatory Hajj rituals are completed.

Abdullah, who is also a former Head of the Pidie Regency Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, emphasized that there are still ample opportunities to increase the performance of sunnah prayers after the peak of the Hajj. Currently, the main focus is to complete the pillars of the Hajj in prime physical condition.

“Now, gather energy to complete the peak of the Hajj in Arafah. After the series in Armuzna ends, feel free to perform other sunnah prayers as long as your physical condition allows,” he explained.

He hopes that with good activity management, this year’s Hajj pilgrims can carry out all the rituals smoothly and return to their homeland as pilgrims whose Hajj is accepted. “Hopefully, this year’s pilgrims will have an accepted and blessed Hajj, following in the footsteps of the prophets,” Abdullah concluded. (I-2)

A couple from Pidie Regency, who are part of Group 10 of the Aceh (BTJ) embarkation, are confirmed to be unable to depart for the Holy Land.

The commitment to upholding a trust that has lasted for more than two centuries has been realized in the Holy Land.

A total of 393 Hajj pilgrims from Group 7 from Aceh have officially departed for Jeddah. See details of the origin of the region, pilgrim profiles, and the agenda of worship in Mecca.

For safety and convenience, 575 passports of pilgrims who will perform the 2026 Hajj, from Pidie Regency, Aceh, will not be distributed while they are still in their hometowns.

Of the total number of pilgrims from Aceh this year (2025), 4,378 people, 12 of them have died in Saudi Arabia.

View JSON | Print