Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 4 May 2026, 1:39 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi meteorologists confirm Hajj exits summer in 2026 and will remain in cooler months for 25 years. Late May temperatures of 38-43C are still serious but significantly below the 45-48C peak that caused 1,300+ deaths in 2024.
260 Iranian pilgrims arrived in Madinah on April 25, the first of 30,000 expected under a Tehran-Riyadh agreement for Hajj 2026. The reduced quota (down from 87,550) reflects conflict-era logistics constraints.
A comprehensive step-by-step guide to performing Tawaf at Hajj 2026: starting at the Black Stone, the seven circuits, Idtiba and Raml rules, the Hateem, Yemeni Corner, prayer after Tawaf, the Multazam, and practical crowd tips.
A complete step-by-step guide to Ihram for Hajj 2026: clothing rules for men and women, how to enter the sacred state, the full list of prohibitions, penalties for violations, and practical preparation tips.
A comprehensive accessibility guide for elderly and disabled pilgrims performing Hajj 2026: free wheelchairs, electric carts, proxy Hajj rulings, over-65 requirements, and practical tips for limited mobility.
Over 50,000 international pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026 from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with the arrival phase continuing through May 21 across 12,000+ flights.
More than 1,300 People Died During 2024 Hajj; Authorities Cite Intense Heat and Unauthorized Pilgrims as Factors ASIS
Pilgrim Deaths in Mecca Put Spotlight on Underbelly of Hajj Industry (Published 2024) The New York Times
Extreme heat kills 1,301 pilgrims during the Hajj in Mecca grist.org
Hajj Deaths: Tragedies In Mecca are Far From Rare Statista
More than 1,300 pilgrims died during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year, officials say PBS
At least 1,300 hajj pilgrims died during extreme heat, Saudi Arabia says The Guardian