Hajj 2026: Saudi Arabia Expands Cooling and Shade Areas in Arafat

May 5, 2026

Kidana completes phase two of the Mount Mercy shading project, giving five times more pilgrims access to cooled areas than last year.

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Key Takeaways

Phase two adds 18 canopies, 36 misting fans, 7 cooling units, and 107 misting fan columns around Mount Mercy in Arafat
The combined two-phase project now covers more than 272,000 square metres
Shaded and cooled areas available to pilgrims have grown fivefold compared to the 2025 season

Kidana Development Company has completed the second phase of its shading and cooling project around Jabal Al-Rahmah (Mount Mercy) in Arafat, ahead of the 2026 Hajj season. Kidana serves as the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.

The second phase includes 18 modern canopies fitted with 36 misting fans, seven advanced air-cooling units, and 107 misting fan columns. Together with the first phase completed in 2025, the project now spans more than 272,000 square metres — and has expanded the share of pilgrims able to access shaded and cooled areas fivefold compared to last year.

What Was Built in Phase One

The first phase, completed in 2025, laid the foundation for the wider system. It included three canopies fitted with six misting fans, along with more than 165 misting fan columns across the Jabal Al-Rahmah area.

How the Two Phases Connect

The two phases together form a single, integrated cooling system. Phase one established the baseline coverage, while phase two significantly expanded both the infrastructure and the number of pilgrims the system can serve.

The combined works are designed to reduce heat stress during the Day of Arafah — the central pillar of the Hajj pilgrimage — when millions gather on the plains.