Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 23 Sep 2026, 10:20 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia deployed its largest-ever cooling and shading infrastructure during the 1447 Hajj, expanding shaded areas at Arafat and adding misting systems to protect pilgrims from extreme summer heat.
Saudi Arabia has fixed a chain of operational deadlines for the 2027 Hajj season, requiring pilgrim data uploads by mid-August and airlift agreements before November 8, 2026.
Saudi authorities have expanded integrated digital services at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, including real-time prayer-area monitoring, smart maps and multilingual sermon translation to ease movement for post-Hajj visitors.
Under Saudi Arabia's expanded policy for the 1448 AH season, holders of tourist, business and transit visas can perform Umrah provided the visa is linked to Nusuk and a permit is issued through the app before entering Makkah.
India has released its Hajj Policy 2027 and opened applications through the Hajj Committee portal and Hajj Suvidha App, retaining the 70:30 quota split while adding new technology and assistance measures.
Health authorities have reaffirmed the vaccination requirements for Hajj 2027, led by the compulsory quadrivalent meningitis (ACYW) certificate, alongside COVID-19, influenza and country-specific polio rules.
More than 40 Australians are among several thousand people unaccounted for after catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-Tibet borderHow the deadly Nepal and Tibet flash flood unfolded – a visual guideGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn 11-year-old child, an ADF member and man...
Rakhi Sawant Prays for Nepal Flood Victims During Umrah INDToday
Intense heat during Mecca’s spring threatens millions of Hajj pilgrims Mongabay
Makkah Route Initiative eases Hajj journey for elderly and disabled pilgrims daily-sun.com