Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 16 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now requires all Hajj 2027 pilgrims to upload medical certificates to Nusuk before visa approval, with the quadruple meningitis vaccine mandatory and polio, yellow fever and flu jabs required or advised.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is expanding its fleet with 20 new Talgo trains due by 2028-2031, adding capacity for the millions of pilgrims travelling between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia's Third Expansion of the Grand Mosque is advancing as part of a wider transformation of Makkah and Madinah aimed at hosting tens of millions of pilgrims annually under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia has approved stricter accommodation regulations for Hajj 2027, classifying facilities as economy or first-class and adding inspections before and during the season.
Pakistan's religious affairs ministry says it collected more than $208 million in Hajj 2027 dues in five days as digital payments drive strong early demand.
The General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques and the MiSK Foundation have opened a sixth innovation contest inviting AI and technology ideas to improve pilgrim services, with a September 16 deadline.
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The Iran-aligned militant group rejected the suggestion it had targeted Mecca, while the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attackSaudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy cit...
Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi drone headed for Mecca Al Jazeera
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted a drone before it entered Islam's holiest city, calling pilgrims' security a 'red line'
Saudi Arabia has intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone that was heading toward Mecca.
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