Unregistered Muslim Pilgrims Suffer in Saudi Arabia's Scorching Heat: 1,300 Dead Amidst Lack of Amenities and Fraudulent Tour Operators

Saudi Arabia
83% of reported deaths involved unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to essential amenities and transportation
Fraudulent tour operators failed to provide adequate protection for thousands of pilgrims, resulting in numerous fatalities
Over 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month
Saudi health minister confirmed majority of deaths were unregistered pilgrims forced to walk long distances under extreme heat
Unregistered Muslim Pilgrims Suffer in Saudi Arabia's Scorching Heat: 1,300 Dead Amidst Lack of Amenities and Fraudulent Tour Operators

Over 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month, with many unregistered pilgrims reportedly walking for miles in scorching heat and lacking access to essential amenities like air-conditioned buses and tents. The majority of those who perished were not registered for the pilgrimage, leaving them exposed to the elements. Temperatures during the Hajj season have been soaring beyond 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 Celsius), making it a significant challenge for pilgrims, especially those without proper permits and access to necessary facilities.

The Saudi health minister, Fahd al-Jalajel, confirmed that 83 percent of the reported deaths involved unregistered pilgrims who were forced to walk long distances under the sun. The lack of hajj permits prevented these individuals from utilizing air-conditioned transportation and accessing air-conditioned tents, leaving them vulnerable to heat stress and other health hazards.

The tragic events during this year's Hajj have put a spotlight on the underbelly of the Hajj industry. Many pilgrims pay thousands of dollars to illicit or fraudulent tour operators for flights, hotels, and transportation. In some cases, these companies fail to provide adequate protection from extreme heat and other hazards.

The Wuries, a Maryland couple who were among those who died during the Hajj pilgrimage this year, had paid $11,500 each for their trip through Ehajj and Umrah Tours. However, the company did not have hajj certifications and lacked transportation and accommodations for the Wuries. The couple ultimately decided to walk up to Mount Arafat with other travelers, where they died that day.

The Saudi government has acknowledged the extreme heat risks during this year's Hajj but remains silent on the fatalities. It is unclear if the number of deaths this year was higher than usual, as Saudi Arabia does not regularly report such statistics. Last year, 774 pilgrims died from Indonesia alone, and in 1985, more than 1,700 people died around the holy sites due to heat stress.

Saudi Arabia plans to increase the number of Hajj pilgrims to 5 million by 2030 from just under 2 million now. The country recognizes the economic potential of religious tourism and is investing in mega-projects like FIFA's 2034 Men's World Cup, NEOM city, the Red Sea project, and Al Qiddiya projects. However, it is crucial that these projects prioritize the health and safety of all those involved to prevent future tragedies.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • It's uncertain if the increase in Hajj pilgrims to 5 million by 2030 will prioritize health and safety measures
  • The exact number of deaths this year compared to previous years is unclear as Saudi Arabia does not regularly report such statistics

Sources

79%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Maryland couple prepared for Hajj pilgrimage, then died in extreme heat

The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Lateshia Beachum, Tuesday, 25 June 2024 00:04
  • Unique Points
    • Alhaji Alieu Dausy Wurie and Haja Isatu Wurie were preparing for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
    • The couple bought insoles for their shoes and liquid IVs.
    • They lacked proper credentials and were confined to a hotel for days due to the tourism company’s lack of transportation.
    • Saida Wurie wants to ensure the tourism company cannot operate again due to their experiences.
  • Accuracy
    • The couple had paid $11,500 per person for an all-inclusive package from Ehajj and Umrah Tours.
    • Egyptian authorities appear to be clamping down on unauthorized agencies. The government has ordered the revocation of the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism companies involved in making unauthorized pilgrimages to Mecca and has referred their managers to the public prosecutor.
    • Over 1,300 people died during the Islamic pilgrimage of hajj in Saudi Arabia this month. The majority of the deaths involved pilgrims who did not have permits.
  • Deception (10%)
    The article contains several instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The authors focus on the tragic deaths of Alhaji Alieu Dausy Wurie and Haja Isatu Wurie, while providing limited context about the larger number of people who died in extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage. They also use emotive language to describe the couple's preparation for their journey and their ultimate failure to complete it safely. Additionally, they make a clear attempt to blame the tourism company for their deaths without providing concrete evidence.
    • But ultimately, that preparation would not be enough to make sure they made it home safely.
    • Saida Wurie said the trip for her parents was rocky from the start. They were not provided with Hajj credentials, leaving them confined to a hotel for days, and the company lacked sufficient transportation.
    • She said that she wants to make sure the tourism company is not able to do that to anyone else: ‘Our family has to grieve in this way. In our religion, they do believe that if you die in the Holy Land, it’s a beautiful thing, but there are several things that could have been avoided.’
    • The couple walked two to three miles a day in their neighborhood of Bowie, Md., to get ready for the trip they had always wanted to take together, said their daughter, Saida Wurie.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (95%)
    The authors express sympathy for the couple and their family, but they also criticize the tourism company for failing to provide proper credentials and transportation, which led to the couple's deaths. This criticism implies a bias against the tourism company.
    • “Our family has to grieve in this way. In our religion, they do believe that if you die in the Holy Land, it’s a beautiful thing, but there are several things that could have been avoided,”
      • “The fact that they didn’t have the proper credentials, the proper transportation, they had to walk so long.”
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      89%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      For many Muslim pilgrims, a dangerous unauthorized Hajj is the only option

      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Tuesday, 25 June 2024 14:18
      • Unique Points
        • An 81-year-old Egyptian man, Abdelzaher Abdo Salem, died during this year’s Hajj as temperatures in Saudi Arabia reached record levels.
        • More than 1,300 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj due to extreme heat and lack of adequate shelter or comfort.
        • Saudi authorities said many of those who died walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort as the temperature reached a record 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.7 degrees Celsius)
        • A visit visa bars entry into Mecca, so its holders are forced to take a desert path to access the holy city, often on foot.
        • Salem’s wife became exhausted and sat down to rest; her husband continued walking, promising to return.
        • Recognizing the economic potential of religious tourism, Saudi Arabia plans to increase Hajj pilgrim numbers to 5 million by 2030 from just under 2 million now.
      • Accuracy
        • More than 1,300 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj due to extreme heat and lack of adequate shelter or comfort
        • Over 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (75%)
        The article contains examples of appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also uses formal fallacies such as hasty generalization and false cause. The author quotes Egyptian officials who claim that Saudi authorities have failed to curb unauthorized pilgrimages or provide adequate care for those who undertake such journeys, implying that this is the direct cause of the high death toll.
        • Atef Aglan, a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, says there is a lack of awareness about the procedures of the Hajj among many Egyptians... This is premeditated murder because this broker knows that the temperatures are above 50 degrees (Celsius), and he knows that these people do not have decent accommodation.
        • Since the tragedy, Egyptian authorities appear to be clamping down on unauthorized agencies. The government has ordered the revocation of the licenses of 16 Hajj tourism companies involved in making unauthorized pilgrimages to Mecca and has referred their managers to the public prosecutor.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article discusses the dangers and tragic consequences of unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages, specifically highlighting the case of an elderly Egyptian man who died during this year's event. The author points out that many of these pilgrims were forced to walk long distances under extreme heat due to inadequate transportation and accommodation provided by unlicensed companies. This exposes a lucrative industry that preys on Muslims' desire to fulfill their religious obligations through the Hajj, often at great personal risk. The author also highlights the inability of Saudi authorities to curb these unauthorized pilgrimages and provide adequate care for those who undertake them, which has led to a high death toll this year. This demonstrates a clear bias towards exposing the dangers and shortcomings of unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages.
        • Every year, Saudi authorities issue licenses permitting legal access to Mecca for pilgrims. These licenses provide access to air-conditioned transportation and accommodation facilities for worshipers. However, the number of licenses is limited – 1.8 million this year – and they can cost several thousand dollars.
          • In recent decades, the sheer size of Hajj crowds has been a factor in the number of deadly incidents during the pilgrimage, including a stampede that killed more than 700 people in 2015.
            • Many of those who died “walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort” as the temperature reached a record 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.7 degrees Celsius).
              • This has given rise to a lucrative industry of travel agencies that promise to get pilgrims to Saudi Arabia unofficially, often with assurances of transport and accommodation that may not be fulfilled or are below standard. Coupled with the extreme heat this year, this spelled tragedy for many pilgrims.
                • Videos shared on social media show bodies on sides of roads during Hajj amid extreme heat
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                95%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Maryland couple among 1,300 who died on pilgrimage in sweltering Mecca

                theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Gloria Oladipo Tuesday, 25 June 2024 14:57
                • Unique Points
                  • Maryland couple Alieu Wurie and Isatu Wurie died during the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
                  • Temperatures exceeded 120F (48.9C) during the pilgrimage
                  • The couple waited nearly 4 hours for transportation to Mount Arafat
                  • Wuries ultimately decided to walk up to Mount Arafat with other travelers and died that day
                • Accuracy
                  • Maryland couple Alieu Wurie and Isatu Wurie paid $11,500 each for flight, hotel and transportation from Ehajj and Umrah Tours
                  • The number of licenses is limited - 1.8 million this year - and they can cost several thousand dollars
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the Council on American-Islamic Relations and quoting their statement. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction in the phrase 'In our religion... beautiful thing... but there are several things that could have been avoided', which presents a contrast between religious belief and practical concerns.
                  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights groups, issued a statement of condolences to Wurie’s loved ones.
                  • ‘In our religion, they do believe that if you die in the Holy Land, it’s a beautiful thing... but there are several things that could have been avoided’, Saida said.
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                97%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Over 1,300 Pilgrim Deaths Put Spotlight on Underbelly of Hajj Industry

                The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Emad Mekay, Sunday, 23 June 2024 21:53
                • Unique Points
                  • Over 1,300 people died during the Islamic pilgrimage of hajj in Saudi Arabia this month.
                  • Many unregistered pilgrims walked for miles in scorching heat and lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned buses and tents.
                • Accuracy
                  • The majority of the deaths involved pilgrims who did not have permits.
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                97%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Deaths During Annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia Underscore Extreme Heat Dangers

                Human Rights Watch Tuesday, 25 June 2024 13:18
                • Unique Points
                  • Over 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month.
                  • Heat stress caused many of the deaths during Hajj.
                  • Unregistered pilgrims were deprived access to public facilities and water rehydration areas.
                  • Saudi Arabia should implement risk-based measures such as work-rest schedules based on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to protect migrant workers.
                • Accuracy
                  • More than 1,300 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj due to extreme heat and lack of adequate shelter or comfort.
                  • The number of licenses is limited - 1.8 million this year - and they can cost several thousand dollars.
                • Deception (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Bias (95%)
                  The article expresses a clear bias towards criticizing the Saudi Arabian authorities for not providing adequate protection against extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage, which resulted in over 1,300 deaths. The author emphasizes that these deaths were preventable and calls on the authorities to implement stronger heat protection measures. The article also highlights issues related to unregistered pilgrims being denied access to public facilities and criticizes high official Hajj costs as a primary factor driving unregistered status.
                  • Authorities have also emphasized that ‘83 percent of [the dead] did not have permits...’
                    • Heat stress is believed to have caused many of the deaths...
                      • Over 1,300 Muslim pilgrims reportedly died during the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, this month in Saudi Arabia...
                        • To protect migrant workers, Saudi Arabia should implement risk-based measures such as for environmental heat and strenuous work commonly assessed commonly by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to impose proper work-rest schedules.
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication