Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 21 Jun 2026, 1:40 AM (Saudi time)
Bangladesh has released its Hajj 2027 roadmap, asking prospective pilgrims to register by September 26, 2026, and laying out a timeline that runs from a bilateral agreement in November to the pilgrimage itself in May 2027.
Saudi authorities deployed more than 400 cooling and misting stations, heat-reflective pavement, shaded canopies, and the Mashaer metro to protect pilgrims from extreme heat during the 1447 Hajj.
Saudi Arabia Railways says the Haramain High Speed Railway moved more than 1.16 million pilgrims over 5,569 trips during the 1447 AH Hajj season, with on-time performance above 98 percent.
Saudi Arabia expanded AI across the 1447 Hajj, using SDAIA platforms Baseer and Sawaher for crowd monitoring, a multilingual robot, the Makkah Route Initiative, and the Nusuk Card for digital identity and medical records.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set the Hajj 2027 booking calendar, with priority accommodation reservations opening June 30 and service contracts through Masar Nusuk from July 29.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics confirmed 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj 2026, with detailed breakdowns by origin, entry point and gender.
2026 Hajj: Nigerian pilgrims move to Makkah ahead Arafat day Tribune Online
War has not deterred Asian Muslims from the hajj The Economist
Pilgrims from the West flock to hajj in Mecca despite uncertainty in war with Iran The Times of Israel
Indonesia, Saudi Arabia discuss enhanced security for Hajj pilgrims ANTARA News
Makkah targets 94% pilgrim satisfaction during 2026 Hajj ارقام
Makkah targets 94% pilgrim satisfaction during 2026 Hajj ارقام