Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 10:20 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published its 1447 AH Hajj service provider evaluation, ranking foreign pilgrim companies into three performance tiers based on compliance and service quality.
Egypt's Ministry of Interior will accept applications for the 2027 Hajj lottery (Hajj al-Qura) from 12 to 27 August 2026, opening domestic registration for the 1448 AH season.
Saudi Public Security has reiterated that Hajj and Umrah companies face fines of up to SR100,000, rising with the number of cases, for failing to report pilgrims who overstay their permitted period.
Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology forecasts a hotter-than-normal August with stronger winds and dust, prompting heat-safety guidance for Umrah pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi Arabia has cut Hajj 2027 service packages to three tiers, discontinued the budget Package D and bundled accommodation, transport and catering into one mandatory integrated package.
Saudi Arabia has launched a digital platform for the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah offering an interactive map, live crowd tracking and real-time prayer occupancy updates for visitors.