Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 5 May 2026, 5:34 PM (Saudi time)
Saudia has launched Hajj 2026 operations with 160 aircraft and over one million seats spanning 145 global destinations, as part of Saudi Arabia's total air transport plan of 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights.
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.
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