Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 17 Jun 2026, 1:54 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the Masar Nusuk digital service to automate Umrah contracting for the 1448 AH season, using unified electronic contracts with QR-code verification.
Saudi Arabia is building an 8.5 million square metre Waste Processing City south of Mecca, set for completion by end of 2027 and designed to serve the holy city for up to 60 years.
Saudi Arabia built its largest-ever cooling infrastructure for Hajj 2026, expanding shaded areas at Arafat fivefold; research links the decade-long programme to a 74.6% drop in heat-stroke cases.
Saudi Arabia's statistics authority confirmed 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj 2026, up from 1.67 million in 2025, with international arrivals making up the vast majority.
Madinah's Prophet's Mosque has welcomed post-Hajj pilgrims with an integrated service system featuring crowd management, multilingual guidance, Rawdah flow control and round-the-clock care.
Saudi Arabia has launched a national Tech Challenge inviting entrepreneurs to build digital solutions for crowd management, the pilgrim experience, and language services across Hajj and Umrah.
Photos show Muslim pilgrims in Mecca as annual Hajj pilgrimage ends WRAL
Alhamduillah, the Implementation of Hajj 2026 is declared over VOI.ID
Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca bastillepost.com
Muslims conclude final ritual of Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia africanews.com
Saudi Arabia Announces Successful Conclusion of 2026 Hajj with Over 1.7 Million Pilgrims ISNA News Agency
Saudi Interior Minister congratulates security forces on successful 2026 Hajjs, orders early preparations for next Hajj | Associated Press Of Pakistan