Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 5 May 2026, 5:34 PM (Saudi time)
A practical guide to life in Mina during Hajj 2026: tent accommodation tiers, daily routines, bathroom realities, the Jamarat walk, and essential tips for surviving the world's largest temporary city.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway connects Makkah and Madinah in 2-2.5 hours at 300 km/h. Expected to carry tens of thousands of pilgrims during Hajj 2026 with air-rail integration and Nusuk app booking.
A practical guide to booking and visiting the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque during Hajj 2026, including Nusuk app booking steps, gender-separated visiting hours, and essential tips for pilgrims.
India deploys 175,025 pilgrims for Hajj 2026 from 17 embarkation points with new Hajj Suvidha App, smart wristbands, a short-duration option, enhanced insurance of Rs 625,000, and Haramain train access for 60,000 pilgrims.
Indonesia leads the world with a 221,000 Hajj quota for 2026, followed by Pakistan (180,000) and India (175,000). Nigeria's quota was cut 30% to 66,910 for underutilisation. Indonesia's average wait is 26.4 years.
With temperatures exceeding 45C, Hajj 2026 demands serious heat preparation. Saudi Arabia deploys 155,000-tonne cooling, 32,000 health workers, and smart wristbands, but pilgrims must hydrate, use umbrellas, and know heat stroke warning signs.
1,600 Malaysian umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi after US-Iran conflict causes flight disruptions The Star
Weqaya Advises Umrah Performers, Prophet's Mosque Visitors on Preventing Respiratory Infections وكالة الأنباء السعودية
Daghestani pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia as Iran war intensifies OC Media
Saudi Arabia allocates 2,500 hotel rooms in Mecca for stranded GCC travellers Gulf News
33,000 health services provided to Umrah pilgrims during first 10 days of Ramadan Saudi Gazette
Middle East is heating up, the government ensures that the Hajj preparations continue to run VOI.id