Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 18 Jun 2026, 7:06 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi health authorities say the 2026 Hajj concluded with no epidemiological outbreaks and no major crowd accidents, crediting heat mitigation, AI-guided pathways, and a large medical deployment.
Saudi Arabia has restructured Hajj 2027 service packages into three tiers, scrapping the long-standing Package D and tying accommodation, transport, and catering into unified contracts.
A pure gold plaque that once crowned the gate of the Holy Kaaba more than three centuries ago is now on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah.
Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission and the University of Exeter uncovered more than 1,700 artefacts at the historic Al Juhfah miqat, including kilns, a water channel and Umayyad and Abbasid-era tombstones.
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.
Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat as hajj reaches peak The Daily Star
Saudi Arabia: 1.5 million join Hajj pilgrimage despite war The Independent Uganda
Saudi Arabia: Hajj 2026 reaches its spiritual peak as millions of Muslim pilgrims gather MSN
1.7 million pilgrims perform 1447 AH Hajj Gulf News
Photos of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca New Castle News
Over 1.7 million pilgrims perform Hajj - Saudi Arabia وكالة الانباء الاردنية