Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 16 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia has set June 30 to August 13, 2026 as the window for Hajj affairs offices and international service providers to reserve pilgrim accommodation in Makkah and Madinah for the 1448 AH season.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released a documentary on crowd engineering, detailing how the Kingdom moved more than 1.7 million pilgrims safely during Hajj 1447 AH.
After 1.7 million pilgrims performed Hajj 2026, Saudi agencies including Kidana, the Red Crescent and NUPCO began dismantling, inspecting and restoring the holy sites for next year.
Pakistan has advised prospective pilgrims to obtain passports now, saying Hajj 2027 bookings could close within two months as Saudi Arabia begins early preparations for next year's season.
Saudi Arabia's KACST and Public Security have launched the AI-powered Roya platform to monitor crowd density, heat, and security across the holy sites during Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Environmental Compliance reported a 145 percent rise in Hajj inspections in 2026, using satellite imagery and AI to monitor air, noise and waste across the holy sites.
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