Due to heatstroke, a Pinoy died during the Hajj pilgrimage
HAJJ PILGRIMAGE – A Filipino died from heatstroke due to intense heat in Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a significant religious journey undertaken by Muslims worldwide to the holy city of Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for every able-bodied and financially capable Muslim to perform at least once in their lifetime.
The pilgrimage occurs annually during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, specifically from the 8th to the 12th or 13th day of the month. It traces its origins to the time of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Islam) and involves rituals commemorating events from his life, as well as those of his family.
Key rituals of Hajj include wearing special white garments symbolizing purity (ihram), circumambulating the Kaaba (the sacred structure within the Grand Mosque in Mecca) seven times in a counterclockwise direction (tawaf), running between the hills of Safa and Marwah (sa’y), standing vigil at Mount Arafat (wuquf), and performing the symbolic stoning of the devil (rami al-jamarat).
Hajj fosters a sense of unity among Muslims of diverse backgrounds, as millions gather each year regardless of nationality, race, or social status. It is a deeply spiritual journey intended to cleanse the soul, seek forgiveness, and strengthen one’s faith, reinforcing the central values of Islam such as submission to God (Allah), equality, and solidarity.
On Friday, a Filipino died from heatstroke due to intense heat in Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “So far, one female Riyadh-based Filipino pilgrim died of natural causes (heatstroke) in Makkah,” DFA Secretary Eduardo de Vega said. It is estimated that 5,100 Filipinos joined the pilgrimage, De Vega added.
The DFA has already dispatched a team to Saudi Arabia to assist the Embassy in Riyadh in monitoring and assisting. Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Center reported temperatures reaching 51.8 degrees Celsius this week at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.