Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 18 Jun 2026, 7:06 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's latest Vision 2030 data shows international Umrah arrivals hit a record 18.03 million in 2025, part of a wider tourism surge that saw nearly 123 million total visitors.
A gold plaque from 1707 that once adorned the Kaaba's gate is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah, part of a collection tracing centuries of care for the holy sites.
The sun aligned almost perfectly over the Kaaba on May 28, 2026, letting Muslims worldwide verify the Qibla. The overlap with Eid al-Adha happens only once every 33 years.
Saudi Arabia is opening regulated investment access to Makkah and Madinah, drawing global capital into a hospitality boom aimed at hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims a year by 2030.
Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative concluded its 1447 AH operations after pre-clearing 388,694 pilgrims on 1,227 flights from 17 ports across 10 countries, with Senegal and Brunei joining for the first time.
The Haj Committee of India has begun the preliminary phase for Hajj 2027, advising pilgrims to ready passports valid until at least December 31, 2027 after receiving Saudi preparation documents.
More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears BBC
More than 1.5m Muslim pilgrims begin hajj as Iran peace deal hangs in the balance Euronews.com
Iranians find ‘peace and safety’ in Mecca during hajj Digital Journal
The Hajj begins amid extreme heat in Mecca: Saudi Arabia deploys thousands of medical staff following last year’s tragedy Atalayar
How Hajj is driving a food and beverage boom in Saudi Arabia The New Arab
Pilgrims kick off Hajj as Iran war's future uncertain The New Arab