Saudi Arabia has announced drastic changes for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage that begins today, including new rules prohibiting children from accompanying pilgrims, and prioritizing pilgrims traveling for the first time. The changes represent the most significant transformation of pilgrimage access in modern history.
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00:00Saudi Arabia announced drastic changes for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj is one of the
00:06five pillars of Islam and draws about two million Muslims annually to Saudi Arabia
00:10to complete the journey that every mature, able-bodied Muslim is required to undertake
00:13at least once. The new policies mark some of the most significant shifts in its 1400-year history.
00:19Children have been banned from this year's Hajj, breaking with centuries of tradition
00:23where families often travel together. The Saudi ministry cited safety for the decision.
00:28In 2024, more than 1300 people died during the pilgrimage, primarily from extreme heat and
00:33overcrowding. For safety, the Saudis have deployed a network of AI-powered drones with thermal imaging
00:37technology that authorities will use to monitor millions of pilgrims in real time for swift
00:42responses to potential threats. New heat mitigation measures have been implemented this year that
00:47include the world's largest cooling system, with a capacity of 155,000 tons of refrigeration,
00:53along with over 400 cooling units and expanded shaded areas. The host kingdom also changed its visa
00:59policy, limiting travelers from 14 countries to only a single-entry visa. An entry to the holy cities
01:05has been tightened. Saudi Arabia also instituted a system favoring Muslims who have never completed the
01:11Hajj. The change addresses long-standing equity concerns within the global Muslim community, where repeat
01:16pilgrims from wealthier nations could more easily secure spots than first-time pilgrims from developing
01:21countries, as Hez travel packages range from $10,000 to $15,000 per person.