euronews.com
2024 Hajj Pilgrimage Sees Fewer Foreign Participants Than Previous Years
More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are participating in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, a decrease of approximately 160,000 from last year and significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels; Saudi Arabia is investing in crowd control and heat mitigation strategies.
- What measures are being taken to address the challenges of heat and crowd management during the Hajj pilgrimage?
- The reduced number of pilgrims this year, compared to both last year and pre-pandemic numbers, reflects ongoing impacts of the pandemic and possibly other factors influencing travel and participation. The decrease, despite Saudi Arabia's significant investments in infrastructure and safety measures, highlights the ongoing challenges of managing such a large-scale event. The focus on heat mitigation measures, including tree planting and increased medical resources, suggests a continuing concern for pilgrim health and safety.
- What are the potential long-term economic and logistical implications of the fluctuating number of Hajj pilgrims for Saudi Arabia?
- The lower-than-expected number of pilgrims could have long-term economic consequences for Saudi Arabia, which relies heavily on Hajj revenue. Future planning for the Hajj should consider sustainable attendance numbers and diversification of the economy to mitigate reliance on such a large event. Continued focus on heat and crowd management strategies, as well as potential mitigation of travel restrictions, will be crucial for future Hajj pilgrimages.
- What is the number of foreign pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj, and how does it compare to previous years and pre-pandemic levels?
- Over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are participating in this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, approximately 160,000 fewer than last year's 1,611,310 foreign pilgrims. This is significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, which regularly exceeded 2 million participants. The decrease follows a record-breaking Hajj in 2012 with over 3.16 million participants.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the reduction in pilgrims compared to last year and the pre-pandemic numbers as a significant event. While factually correct, this emphasis might overshadow the still-substantial number of pilgrims participating. The focus on the challenges, like heat, could unintentionally downplay the positive aspects of the pilgrimage.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and informative. Terms like "streaming into Arafat" are descriptive but could be slightly less evocative to maintain complete objectivity. The description of Mount Arafat's significance uses reverent language, appropriate for the topic but potentially carrying a certain tone for readers unfamiliar with Islamic beliefs.
Bias by Omission
The article omits the number of domestic pilgrims, which prevents a complete picture of the total Hajj participation. It also doesn't discuss potential challenges faced by domestic pilgrims, creating an incomplete representation of the overall experience. While acknowledging space constraints, the absence of this data limits a fully informed understanding.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't exhibit overt gender bias. However, it would be beneficial to include diverse voices and perspectives from both male and female pilgrims to provide a more holistic representation of the Hajj experience.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Saudi Arabian government's significant investment in crowd control and safety measures for the Hajj pilgrimage demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of participants. This directly contributes to SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.