Abdelzaher Abdo Salem, an 81-year-old Egyptian, was among the 1,300 pilgrims who tragically lost their lives during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures reached record highs. Salem, like many others, had resorted to an unauthorized company to arrange his trip due to the high costs associated with official Hajj channels. This decision, however, led him on a potentially dangerous journey that ultimately cost him his life.
The tragedy has shed light on the unregulated industry of unauthorized pilgrimage agents who exploit Muslims' desire to fulfill their religious obligations. These agents often bypass official procedures, taking pilgrims along dangerous paths. For Salem, this meant getting a personal visit visa instead of a special Hajj visa, which would have given him access to the holy cities and pilgrim facilities, including air-conditioned sites and medical services.
Salem's journey to Mecca involved a grueling desert trek, often on foot, as his visiting visa prevented him from entering Mecca directly. Despite promises of transportation from the Egyptian travel agency, Salem and his wife allowed themselves to walk approximately 8 miles to complete the ritual of “stoning the devil.” During the journey, Salem's wife became exhausted and had to rest, while Salem continued. He was later found dead at Al-Ma'aisam Hospital in Makkah.
The high death toll this year has highlighted the inability of Saudi authorities to curb unauthorized pilgrimages or provide adequate care for those making such journeys. While deaths among pilgrims are not uncommon, this year's gathering was held amid particularly high temperatures, exacerbating the risks.
The tragedy has also highlighted the economic disparities between the pilgrims. A Hajj package from a licensed agency can cost several thousand dollars, a sum unaffordable for many. This has given rise to a lucrative travel agency industry that promises cheaper, if riskier, alternatives.
Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation for all Muslims without problems. However, millions are left disappointed when they cannot secure a place through official channels. Egypt, a Muslim-majority country of 110 million, has been allocated just 50,000 Hajj licenses this year, a rate of about 0.05%.
In the wake of the tragedy, Egyptian authorities have begun cracking down on unauthorized agencies, revoking the licenses of 16 Hajj tour companies involved in unauthorized pilgrimages to Mecca.
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