Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 20 Jun 2026, 1:17 AM (Saudi time)
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.
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.
Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its peak KSAT
Saudi Arabia announces 1.7m pilgrims performed Hajj 2026 Arabian Business
Hajj 2026 Begins Amid Iran Tensions, Saudi Arabia On High Alert | Firstpost Live | 4K Liam Hendriks (5LCHMyotQq) Mshale
Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its pinnacle PBS
Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its pinnacle PBS
A Gaza City school taught children how to perform the entire Hajj, as Palestinians miss the pilgrimage for a third year.