Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 10:20 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has welcomed 250 Umrah pilgrims from 23 African countries to Madinah under King Salman's Guests Program, which is hosting 1,000 worshippers from around the world at the King's expense this year.
Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal has launched twice-weekly direct flights between Madinah and Karachi, giving Pakistani pilgrims a nonstop route to the city of the Prophet's Mosque.
Saudi Arabia is expanding digital systems at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, aiming to make it one of the world's smartest sites by 2030, with smart mobility, digital iftar management, the Rafed platform and interactive mapping.
Nigeria's NAHCON has reaffirmed 26 September 2026 as the Hajj 2027 registration deadline, with about 50,000 slots allocated, a Saudi MoU expected in November and five airlines approved to airlift pilgrims.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published a Legal Awareness Guide in 14 languages and launched a Know Your Rights campaign covering accommodation, transport, catering and complaint procedures for pilgrims.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is expanding artificial intelligence for pilgrims, including the multilingual Nusuk AI assistant and a Digital Mutawwif that guides the rites and counts Tawaf and Sa'i rounds.