Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 20 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has approved the daily opening of women's prayer halls for all five prayers in every mosque across Madinah, a change that helps women pilgrims pray on time.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the main gateway for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, has reached Level 4 of ACI's five-stage customer experience accreditation.
The Hajj Committee of India has ordered candidates selected for Hajj 2027 to complete a preliminary medical examination and upload the results by September 15, 2026, or risk cancellation.
Saudi Arabia will not issue a Hajj 2027 visa without a medical fitness certificate processed through Nusuk Masar, making health clearance a firm condition of travel rather than a formality.
GASTAT data show more than 15.2 million people performed Umrah in the first quarter of 2026, and the new 1448 AH season has opened with a 22.5 percent rise in international arrivals.
Egypt has approved new 2027 tourist Hajj regulations introducing binding contracts, the Rafiq digital tracking app, pilgrim service ratings and stricter bus and accommodation standards, with registration open until September 27.
Businesses in Makkah, Madinah expecting 40% losses from Umrah pilgrimage ban Arab News