Saudi Arabia Records Massive Haj Arrivals as Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Reach Kingdom

Preparations for Hajj 2026 in Saudi Arabia have reached their peak, while the number of Hajj pilgrims arriving from abroad has exceeded 1.5 million. According to Saudi officials, millions of Muslims are arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj despite the ongoing tensions in the region, air closures and rising travel costs.

Saleh Al-Murabba, Commander of the Saudi Hajj Passport Forces, said during a media briefing that 1,018,153 foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far. According to him, more pilgrims are expected to arrive before the start of the main rituals of Hajj, for which all institutions are fully mobilised.

This year’s Hajj season is being held during a sensitive regional situation. Security concerns increased in the Gulf region after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. During this time, the airspace of various countries remained affected, which severely affected international air operations. Several flights were cancelled, while many passengers faced delays and additional expenses.

Major Gulf airlines took immediate steps to normalise the situation. Airlines from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain prioritised the resumption of Hajj flights so that Muslims from all over the world could reach Saudi Arabia on time.

According to experts, despite the increase in airfares and travel difficulties, the enthusiasm of Muslims for Hajj has not diminished. Additional flights and accommodation arrangements have been made through government and private Hajj schemes in many countries to provide better facilities to pilgrims.

The Saudi government has made special arrangements for modern technology, security and health for this year’s Hajj season. A modern surveillance system has been activated to keep the crowds in control in Mecca and Medina, while special attention is also being paid to the provision of water, shaded places and medical aid in view of the intense heat.

Last year, a total of 1.673 million pilgrims performed the Hajj, of which more than 1.5 million came from abroad. This year too, the total number is expected to be close to or even exceed last year’s.

The Hajj is considered the most important spiritual gathering of Islam, where Muslims from all over the world, transcending ethnic, linguistic and geographical differences, gather for a single purpose. Millions of Muslims consider this holy journey to be the most important religious duty of their lives every year.