NewzVille Desk
Millions of Muslims from around the world have gathered in Mecca this week to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, enduring sweltering heat as they marked the Day of Arafa, the holiest day of the ritual.
Wrapped in traditional white robes, many pilgrims used umbrellas and poured water over themselves to stay cool in the scorching desert temperatures.
Last year, extreme heat led to hundreds of reported deaths among pilgrims, underscoring growing concerns for Hajj organizers as climate change drives global temperatures higher.
Authorities have deployed cooling stations and increased medical support across the holy sites to help manage the heat-related challenges.
