Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 22 Jun 2026, 12:13 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's Adahi facility - the world's largest automated slaughterhouse - is ready to process 800,000 Hajj sacrifices using AI, with meat distributed to 27 countries. Only sheep are being processed for 2026.
The Dhul Hijjah moon sighting is expected May 16-17, with Pakistan's SUPARCO predicting Eid al-Adha on May 27. Official confirmation from Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court will determine all Hajj 2026 dates.
Saudi Arabia has activated its live smart transport system for Hajj 2026, with 20,000+ GPS-tracked buses, the Haramain Railway, and 24/7 control centres managing pilgrim movement in real time.
Saudi forces arrested 34 people in Hajj 2026 enforcement operations including 18 caught forging Nusuk cards and wristbands, 5 attempting desert border crossings into Makkah, and 1 running social media scams.
Saudi Arabia has invested 6 billion SAR over four years to transform Hajj infrastructure: 7,800 bathrooms cutting waits by 75%, 200% more hospital capacity, 60,000 trees, and 400 misting fans at the Jamarat.
Pakistan launches a digital scorecard system allowing 119,000 pilgrims to rate their 1,378 Hajj assistants via QR codes, with penalties including deportation for persistent negligence.
Saudi Arabia says that is 11,000 more than the number of Muslims who travelled to the Gulf kingdom last year.
More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears BBC
Over 1.5m fill Makkah’s tent city The Daily Star
Saudi Arabia launches first drone medicine delivery service during Hajj Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia: 1.5 Mn join Hajj pilgrimage despite war dailynews.lk
Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Arrive Saudi Arabia as 2026 Hajj Begins TVC News