Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 10:20 AM (Saudi time)
For Hajj 2027, Saudi Arabia has made completion of a mandatory training programme a condition for the visas and permits that external Hajj offices need, part of broader reforms including integrated packages and a three-tier structure.
The Grand Mosque's integrated cooling system, one of the world's largest at about 155,000 refrigeration tons, holds indoor temperatures at 22-24C, while shaded areas at Arafat have expanded fivefold to over 272,000 square metres.
Egypt approved new Umrah regulations for the 1448 season on 16 July 2026, making the Rafeeq monitoring app mandatory for pilgrims and imposing tighter controls on tour operators, advertising and transport.
Saudi Arabia has ordered 20 new Talgo high-speed trains for the Haramain railway, expanding the fleet to 55 units and boosting pilgrim transport capacity between Makkah and Madinah, with delivery from 2028 to 2031.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has enabled the Nusuk app to work without mobile data, in partnership with stc, Mobily, and Zain, keeping permits, tickets, and navigation available to pilgrims even offline.
Saudi Arabia has scrapped Hajj Package D and restructured offerings into three tiers, making bundled accommodation, transport, and catering mandatory for 2027 pilgrims, alongside compulsory operator training.
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