Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 4 May 2026, 1:39 AM (Saudi time)
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.
Saudi Arabia has imposed fines of up to SAR 100,000 for facilitating unauthorised Hajj and up to SAR 20,000 for pilgrims performing Hajj without a permit, alongside 10-year re-entry bans for violators.
President arrives in Madinah after performing Hajj Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)
The road to Mecca is fraught with challenges – but there’s nothing like the hajj pilgrimage to turn hearts | Ali Hammoud The Guardian
Why do Muslims make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca? Sahan Journal
Standing where Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon, 2 million Muslims perform Hajj NPR
2 million begin Hajj as pilgrimage returns to full capacity for first time since pandemic PBS
‘Largest Hajj pilgrimage in history’ begins in Saudi Arabia Al Jazeera