Extreme heat causes Saudi government to suspend Rami rituals,

MINA, June 17 (APP): The Saudi government on Monday suspended Rami rituals in the final phase of Hajj 2024 until 4:00 p.m. and asked pilgrims to stay in their Mina tents due to the scorching heat.

A government spokesman said in a statement that these steps had been taken with the safety of the pilgrims in mind.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs regretted that some media outlets had reported certain complaints regarding the arrangements, which had exaggerated the situation and caused concern among Pakistani pilgrims and their families.

The spokesman assured the pilgrims that the ministry is in constant contact with the Saudi authorities to ensure their well-being.

He pointed out that more than 2.5 million Muslims, including 160,000 Pakistanis, had gathered in Mecca for the Hajj this year and that there had been some complaints about the arrangements for such a large number of pilgrims was a testament to the success of the campaign.

“The organization of all five days of Mashair is handled by the Saudi authorities. This year, there were concerns in Makatib, which were immediately communicated to the Saudi authorities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain called an urgent meeting with officials of the ministry at the Makkah office of Pakistan Hajj Mission on Tuesday to investigate and address complaints related to the Mashair days and to formulate an action plan to prevent such incidents in future.