Saudi Arabia opens Hajj 2027 planning talks with over 75 countries
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has begun early preparatory meetings with Hajj affairs offices from more than 75 countries ahead of the 2027 season.
Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 17 Sep 2026, 10:12 AM (Saudi time)
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has begun early preparatory meetings with Hajj affairs offices from more than 75 countries ahead of the 2027 season.
Saudi Arabia's Hajj minister said more than 19 million people visited Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah in the Prophet's Mosque over two years, as the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum opened in Madinah.
Saudi Arabia's Public Security has reiterated that Hajj and Umrah firms face fines of up to SR100,000 for failing to promptly report pilgrims who overstay their authorised period, with penalties rising per unreported case.
Saudi authorities have advised Umrah pilgrims that the Grand Mosque is quietest from 10pm to 4am and 9am to 4pm, and busiest from 5pm to 9pm, and encouraged the use of live crowd-density tools to plan Tawaf and Sa'i.
Saudi Arabia has announced its 2027 Hajj reforms, making unified accommodation, transport and catering packages mandatory, cutting offerings to three categories and requiring compulsory staff training.
Iran has restarted Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia after a six-month halt, sending 18,000 pilgrims in the first phase while about five million voucher holders wait, with flights and foreign currency shaping the pace.
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