Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Jun 2026, 12:14 PM (Saudi time)
Health authorities have reaffirmed the vaccination requirements for Hajj 2027, led by the compulsory quadrivalent meningitis (ACYW) certificate, alongside COVID-19, influenza and country-specific polio rules.
Saudi Arabia has eliminated the budget Package D for Hajj 2027 and consolidated all offerings into three enhanced, all-inclusive tiers, with key contracting deadlines on June 30 and August 13, 2026.
Saudi Arabia has upgraded the mandatory Nusuk app with AI-driven crowd alerts, a green-to-red traffic-light capacity system at the Two Holy Mosques, and a smart digital pilgrim card for the 1448 AH Umrah season.
The Al-Mashaer Metro carried pilgrims between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah during Hajj 1447, easing road congestion and cutting tens of thousands of bus trips. The electric line forms part of a wider transport push at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia has shortened the Umrah visa entry window from three months to 30 days for the 1448 AH season, while keeping the 90-day in-country stay unchanged. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also confirmed the season's opening and closing dates.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Religious Affairs has released its Hajj 2027 roadmap, asking pilgrims to complete registration by September 26, 2026. The schedule follows the Saudi Hajj 1448 calendar handed over in Jeddah.
Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat as hajj reaches peak The Daily Star
Saudi Arabia: 1.5 million join Hajj pilgrimage despite war The Independent Uganda
Saudi Arabia: Hajj 2026 reaches its spiritual peak as millions of Muslim pilgrims gather MSN
1.7 million pilgrims perform 1447 AH Hajj Gulf News
Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca New Castle News
Over 1.7 million pilgrims perform Hajj - Saudi Arabia وكالة الانباء الاردنية