More than 1,300 pilgrims died in Mecca last week as they performed the haj in scorching heat, Saudi Arabia has said.
Temperatures in Mecca, where almost two million Muslims gathered for the annual ritual, exceeded 50C.
Climate scientists believe temperatures will continue to rise in the coming decades, posing a challenge for the gathering, which attracts Muslims from around the world. Muslims who are capable and have the means must perform haj once in their lifetime.
Fahd Al-Jalajel, the Saudi health minister, said 1,301 pilgrims had died over the six days of haj.
The ritual involves worshippers circling around the Kaaba, a cubic structure Muslims believe was built by Abraham, and then pacing between two mountains in the footsteps of his wife Hajar as she
