2016 Photo of Exhausted Hajj Security Personnel Resting Resurfaces Amid This Year’s Hajj
The Claim
Saudi 🇸🇦 Security officers resting on the ground after completing 🕋 Hajj Duty.
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Emerging story
Against the backdrop of this year's Hajj season, social media users widely circulated a photo purporting to feature Saudi security officers resting on the ground after completing Hajj duty.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the photo making the rounds to be older than claimed.
2016 Photo of Exhausted Hajj Security Personnel Resting
Contrary to social media users' circulating claim, the photo was not shot amid this year’s Hajj.
The photo was first published in 2016, showing security personnel resting on the ground after securing the Hajj season at that time.
Amer Al-Kubaisi, a Facebook user, shared the photo on September 15, 2016, showing policemen in the field lying on the ground after a hard day serving the pilgrims.
In September 2016, akhbaar24 also uploaded the mentioned photo in a published report at the time.
According to akhbaar24, social media users circulated photos and videos of security personnel in the holy sites resting on the ground after their efforts in serving the pilgrims during the 2016 year’s Hajj season.
In a hashtag campaign titled (#Thank_Security_Men,) X users expressed their pride in the security personnel for their outstanding work in facilitating the rituals for the pilgrims.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz praised the efforts of the security personnel in serving the guests of God, emphasizing that the nation appreciates their great deeds and sacrifices.
The website also shared other photos showing the security personnel resting on the ground at the holy sites.
Over 1.8 Million Pilgrims Participated in the Hajj Rituals This Year
Saudi Arabia announced extensive preparations for an unprecedented Hajj season this year.
The Hajj season featured major initiatives and arrangements to ensure a successful and comfortable experience for all pilgrims.
During a meeting on June 4, King Salman bin Abdulaziz confirmed that all preparations and arrangements for Hajj 2024 had been completed. The kingdom has deployed all necessary efforts and resources to improve the comfort and safety of pilgrims, according to state media.
About 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj this year, with 1.6 million coming from abroad, according to Saudi authorities. The pilgrimage, which unfolded under scorching temperatures, has been challenging, with at least 550 pilgrims reported to have died during the Hajj.
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