First International Pilgrims Land in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026
First Hajj 2026 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 18 from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats allocated across 12,000+ flights.
Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 20 Jun 2026, 12:02 PM (Saudi time)
First Hajj 2026 pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 18 from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats allocated across 12,000+ flights.
Saudi Arabia confirms Hajj 2026 will proceed as scheduled despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire expiring as the first pilgrims arrive. Makkah and Madinah remain protected by advanced defence systems.
Saudi Arabia has made the Nusuk smart card mandatory for all Hajj 2026 pilgrims, combining personal, medical, and accommodation data. The Nusuk app has surpassed 51 million users with over 130 digital services.
The first international Hajj 2026 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Malaysia, with 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights allocated for the season.
Saudi Arabia requires all Hajj 2026 pilgrims to carry a valid quadrivalent ACYW meningitis vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before arrival, with additional polio vaccine requirements for pilgrims from high-risk countries.
Saudi Arabia restricted entry to Makkah from 13 April 2026 to Hajj permit holders only and suspended Umrah permits from 18 April to 31 May 2026 as the Kingdom prepares for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning around 25 May.
Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca bastillepost.com
Muslims conclude final ritual of Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia africanews.com
Saudi Arabia Announces Successful Conclusion of 2026 Hajj with Over 1.7 Million Pilgrims ISNA News Agency
Saudi Interior Minister congratulates security forces on successful 2026 Hajjs, orders early preparations for next Hajj | Associated Press Of Pakistan
Saudi Arabia closes 2026 Hajj season with over 1.7M pilgrims Türkiye Today
Hajj minister attends closing ceremony of hajj season in Mecca Ariana News