Saudi Health Ministry Urges Pilgrims to Use White Umbrellas During Hajj 2026
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Saudi Ministry of Health has advised pilgrims participating in Hajj 2026 to use only white umbrellas while performing pilgrimage rites under extreme weather conditions.
The ministry said white umbrellas help reduce direct exposure to the sun and lower heat absorption, thereby minimizing the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke during the pilgrimage season.
According to the ministry, white surfaces reflect most sunlight instead of absorbing it like darker fabrics, making them significantly more effective in reducing heat exposure during outdoor movement across the holy sites.
Officials explained that a proper reflective umbrella can block between 64 and 92 percent of ultraviolet (UV) rays and reduce the surrounding temperature by up to 8 degrees Celsius, providing critical protection for pilgrims during peak daytime heat.
The ministry warned that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during afternoon hours, could trigger serious health complications, including heat exhaustion and sunstroke, stressing that umbrellas now serve as an essential portable shade for pilgrims.
Saudi authorities also clarified that using umbrellas remains fully permissible for pilgrims in the state of Ihram, provided the umbrella does not directly touch or rest on the head in a way that violates Ihram guidelines.
To further ease movement and improve comfort, Saudi authorities have introduced wearable, hands-free umbrellas designed to strap onto a pilgrim’s back or body, allowing worshippers to keep their hands free while performing prayers and rituals.
The advisory forms part of health and safety measures introduced ahead of Hajj 2026 as Saudi Arabia intensifies awareness campaigns to safeguard millions of pilgrims expected in Makkah and Madinah amid rising temperatures across the Kingdom.
