Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 12 Nov 2026, 10:00 AM (Saudi time)
With the 1448 AH Umrah season running through peak summer, authorities urge pilgrims to guard against extreme Makkah heat now topping 42C, using cooler worship windows, hydration and the Grand Mosque's cooling systems.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah says its Nusuk app has passed 30 million downloads, a 150 percent annual rise, with users from more than 190 countries.
Saudi Arabia's statistics authority confirmed 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj in 2026, with 1,546,655 arriving from abroad and the vast majority entering by air.
Saudi Arabia will require personnel in Hajj affairs offices to complete compulsory training as a condition for obtaining Hajj visas and permits, part of a wider service overhaul.
Bangladesh has released its Hajj 2027 roadmap, setting a July 26 to September 26 registration window and fixing dates for visas, flights, and the pilgrimage itself, expected on May 15, 2027.
The Haj Committee of India has opened Hajj 2027 registration until July 20, 2026, with a digital Kurra draw in late July and a firm advance payment deadline of August 10.
Shuaiba-5 Plant Ensures Makkah Water Supply during Hajj Season وكالة الأنباء السعودية