The Execution of the Annual Hajj Pilgrimage within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

沙烏地阿拉伯王國年度朝聖活動之執行

May 26, 2026, 13:45

Introduction

Approximately 1.5 to 1.8 million Muslims have convened in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, adhering to the prescribed religious rituals despite adverse climatic conditions and regional geopolitical instability.

約 150 萬至 180 萬名穆斯林聚集在沙烏地阿拉伯進行朝聖，儘管面臨惡劣的氣候條件與區域地緣政治的不穩定，仍堅持遵守既定的宗教儀式。

Main Body

The current pilgrimage cycle is characterized by a significant convergence of worshippers at Mount Arafat, where the recitation of Quranic verses and the performance of combined prayers at Namirah Mosque constitute the operational peak of the event. This sequence is followed by a transition to Muzdalifah for overnight residency and the subsequent symbolic stoning ritual in Mina. The logistical framework for these activities is designed to commemorate the historical trajectory of the Prophet Mohammed and the trials of Prophet Abraham.

本次朝聖週期的特點在於大量信徒聚集在阿拉法特山，在納米拉清真寺誦讀古蘭經並進行聯合禱告，構成了活動的運作高峰。隨後信徒將轉移至穆茲達利法過夜，並在米納進行象徵性的投石儀式。這些活動的物流框架旨在紀念先知穆罕默德的歷史足跡以及先知亞伯拉罕的試煉。

Institutional legitimacy for the Al Saud dynasty is reinforced through the administration of these rites, as the monarch maintains the designation of 'Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.' To ensure the stability of the proceedings, the Saudi state has implemented advanced surveillance technologies and crowd-monitoring systems to regulate movement and preclude unauthorized access. These security measures are complemented by a substantial medical deployment, comprising 50,000 healthcare personnel and 3,000 ambulances, to mitigate the risks associated with extreme thermal conditions.

沙烏德王朝透過管理這些儀式來強化其制度上的合法性，因為君主保有「兩聖 mosque 監護人」的稱號。為確保過程穩定，沙烏地政府實施了先進的監控技術與人流監測系統，以管制移動並防止未經授權的進入。這些安保措施並輔以大規模的醫療部署，包括 5 萬名醫療人員與 3,000 輛救護車，以降低極端高溫帶來的風險。

Geopolitical variables have influenced participant demographics. While Saudi officials report an increase in international pilgrims compared to 2025, there has been a marked diminution in Iranian attendance. Approximately 30,000 Iranians participated, representing roughly one-third of the projected 86,000. This discrepancy is attributed by the IRNA state news agency to the 'wartime situation' resulting from reciprocal strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which targeted critical infrastructure within the Gulf region. Furthermore, the necessity for heat-mitigation strategies—such as the provision of parasols and increased hydration—has been intensified by anthropogenic climate change, following a 2024 event in which temperatures exceeding 50°C resulted in over 1,300 fatalities.

地緣政治變數影響了參與者的組成。儘管沙烏地官員報告國際朝聖人數較 2025 年有所增加，但伊朗參與人數明顯減少。約有 3 萬名伊朗人參加，僅約為預計 8.6 萬人的三分之一。伊朗國家新聞社 IRNA 將此差異歸因於美國、以色列與伊朗之間互換攻擊所導致的「戰爭狀態」，該攻擊針對海灣地區的關鍵基礎設施。此外，由於人為氣候變遷，減暑策略（如提供遮陽傘與增加補水）的需求更加緊迫，此前在 2024 年曾發生溫度超過 50°C 導致 1,300 多人死亡的事件。

Conclusion

The pilgrimage continues toward its conclusion with the farewell circumambulation at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, supported by extensive state security and health protocols.

朝聖活動將在麥加大清真寺進行告別繞行，在政府大規模安保與醫療方案的支持下走向終結。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and "De-personalization"

To transition from B2 (competent) to C2 (mastery), a student must move beyond describing actions and begin constructing states. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) into nouns (concepts). This shifts the tone from a narrative to an institutional, academic discourse.

⚡ The Linguistic Pivot

Look at how the author avoids simple subject-verb-object patterns. Instead of saying "The state monitors the crowd to keep things stable," the text utilizes:

*"To ensure the stability of the proceedings, the Saudi state has implemented... crowd-monitoring systems to regulate movement and preclude unauthorized access."

C2 Breakdown:

Stability of the proceedings: (Noun phrase) replaces the verb stabilize. This transforms a dynamic action into an abstract objective.
Preclude unauthorized access: (Verb + Noun phrase) replaces stop people from entering. "Preclude" is a high-tier academic verb that suggests a systemic prevention rather than a physical stop.

🔬 Precision through 'Latent' Verbs

At the C2 level, you are expected to use verbs that act as "operators" for complex noun clusters. Notice the verbs used to link these nominalized concepts:

Reinforced $\rightarrow$ (Used with "Institutional legitimacy")
Attributed $\rightarrow$ (Used with "This discrepancy")
Intensified $\rightarrow$ (Used with "Necessity for heat-mitigation strategies")

These are not mere synonyms; they are collocational anchors. You do not "make" legitimacy; you reinforce it. You do not "say" a difference is because of something; you attribute the discrepancy.

🛠️ Mastery Application: The "Abstract Shift"

To replicate this, attempt to strip the 'human' agent from your sentences.

B2 Level: "Climate change is making it hotter, so more people died in 2024."
C2 Level: "The necessity for heat-mitigation strategies... has been intensified by anthropogenic climate change, following an event in which temperatures... resulted in over 1,300 fatalities."

The Shift: The focus moves from the people (B2) to the causal mechanisms (C2). This is the hallmark of scholarly English: the agency is shifted from the actor to the phenomenon.

Vocabulary Learning

convened (v.)

to gather or assemble together

Example:Approximately 1.5 to 1.8 million Muslims convened in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

prescribed (adj.)

officially set or authorized, especially by law or authority

Example:The pilgrims followed the prescribed religious rituals despite adverse climatic conditions.

adverse (adj.)

harmful or unfavorable

Example:Adverse climatic conditions did not deter the faithful from completing their pilgrimage.

climatic (adj.)

relating to climate or weather conditions

Example:The Hajj is performed during a period of extreme climatic heat.

geopolitical (adj.)

relating to the politics of nations and their relationships

Example:Geopolitical instability in the region has influenced pilgrim demographics.

convergence (n.)

the act or process of meeting or coming together

Example:The current pilgrimage cycle is characterized by a significant convergence of worshippers at Mount Arafat.

worshippers (n.)

individuals who practice religious devotion or prayer

Example:Thousands of worshippers gather daily to recite Quranic verses at Namirah Mosque.

recitation (n.)

the act of reading or speaking aloud, especially a text

Example:The recitation of Quranic verses is a central part of the Hajj rituals.

Quranic (adj.)

pertaining to the Quran, the holy book of Islam

Example:The pilgrims recite Quranic verses with reverence during the Hajj.

performance (n.)

the execution or carrying out of an activity

Example:The performance of combined prayers at Namirah Mosque constitutes the operational peak of the event.

combined (adj.)

joined together or united

Example:Combined prayers are held simultaneously for all pilgrims at Namirah Mosque.

operational (adj.)

functioning or in use, especially in a practical context

Example:The operational peak of the Hajj occurs at Mount Arafat where thousands gather.

transition (n.)

the process of changing from one state or condition to another

Example:After the peak, there is a transition to Muzdalifah for overnight residency.

overnight (adj.)

lasting through the night

Example:Pilgrims spend an overnight residency at Muzdalifah before proceeding to Mina.

residency (n.)

the period of staying or living in a place

Example:The overnight residency at Muzdalifah allows pilgrims to rest before the final ritual.

symbolic (adj.)

representing or standing for something else

Example:The stoning ritual in Mina is a symbolic act commemorating the Prophet’s trials.

stoning (n.)

the act of throwing stones as a ritual or punishment

Example:The symbolic stoning ritual in Mina involves pilgrims throwing pebbles at pillars.

logistical (adj.)

relating to the organization and coordination of large operations

Example:The logistical framework ensures smooth movement of millions of pilgrims.

commemorate (v.)

to honor the memory of someone or something through a ceremony or act

Example:The pilgrimage commemorates the historical trajectory of the Prophet Mohammed.

trajectory (n.)

the path or course followed by something moving through space

Example:The pilgrimage’s trajectory traces the steps of the Prophet Abraham.

institutional (adj.)

belonging to or characteristic of an institution

Example:Institutional legitimacy for the Al Saud dynasty is reinforced through the administration of these rites.

legitimacy (n.)

the quality of being lawful, legitimate, or justified

Example:The legitimacy of the Al Saud dynasty is upheld by the observance of religious rites.

dynasty (n.)

a line of hereditary rulers of a country or region

Example:The Al Saud dynasty has maintained political authority through religious legitimacy.

reinforced (v.)

strengthened or made more robust

Example:The monarchy’s authority is reinforced through the administration of these rites.

administration (n.)

the management or organization of an institution or activity

Example:The administration of the Hajj rituals ensures orderly conduct of millions of pilgrims.

designation (n.)

a title or official name given to someone or something

Example:The monarch holds the designation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

custodian (n.)

a guardian or keeper of something

Example:The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques oversees the sacred sites of Islam.

stability (n.)

the state of being steady or unchanging

Example:The Saudi state has implemented measures to ensure the stability of the proceedings.

surveillance (n.)

the act of monitoring or observing for security purposes

Example:Advanced surveillance technologies are used to monitor movement during the Hajj.

monitoring (n.)

the process of observing and checking the progress or quality of something

Example:Crowd‑monitoring systems help regulate pilgrim movement.

regulate (v.)

to control or maintain at a certain level

Example:The authorities regulate pilgrim flow to prevent overcrowding.

preclude (v.)

to prevent from happening or to make impossible

Example:Security measures preclude unauthorized access to the holy sites.

unauthorized (adj.)

not permitted or approved by authority

Example:Unauthorized individuals are barred from entering the sacred precincts.

deployment (n.)

the movement or arrangement of troops or resources for a specific purpose

Example:A substantial medical deployment includes 50,000 healthcare personnel and 3,000 ambulances.

mitigating (adj.)

acting to reduce the severity or intensity of something

Example:Medical teams are mitigating the risks associated with extreme thermal conditions.

thermal (adj.)

relating to heat or temperature

Example:Thermal conditions during the Hajj can reach temperatures exceeding 50°C.

demographics (n.)

statistical characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, or nationality

Example:Geopolitical variables have influenced participant demographics during the Hajj.

diminution (n.)

a reduction or decrease in size, amount, or importance

Example:There has been a marked diminution in Iranian attendance at the pilgrimage.

projected (adj.)

estimated or expected to happen in the future

Example:The projected number of pilgrims was expected to be 86,000.

discrepancy (n.)

a lack of agreement or consistency between two or more facts

Example:The discrepancy in attendance figures is attributed to wartime tensions.

attributed (v.)

ascribed or credited to a particular cause or source

Example:The lower turnout was attributed to reciprocal strikes in the Gulf region.

wartime (adj.)

relating to or occurring during a war

Example:The pilgrim numbers were affected by the wartime situation in the region.

reciprocal (adj.)

mutual or given in return

Example:Reciprocal strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupted pilgrim travel.

infrastructure (n.)

the basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation or development

Example:Critical infrastructure in the Gulf region was targeted during the strikes.

necessity (n.)

a requirement or something that is essential

Example:The necessity for heat‑mitigation strategies has intensified due to climate change.

heat‑mitigation (adj.)

measures taken to reduce the impact of high temperatures

Example:Heat‑mitigation strategies include providing parasols and increasing hydration.

parasols (n.)

umbrella‑like devices used for shade

Example:Pilgrims were supplied with parasols to shield them from the scorching sun.

anthropogenic (adj.)

caused by human activity rather than natural processes

Example:Anthropogenic climate change has led to higher temperatures during the Hajj.

intensified (v.)

made more intense or severe

Example:The intensity of heat‑mitigation strategies has intensified after the 2024 heatwave.

fatalities (n.)

deaths caused by an accident, disaster, or disease

Example:The 2024 heatwave resulted in over 1,300 fatalities among pilgrims.

Practice C2 words in a crossword→