Hajj 2026 Draws 1.7 Million Pilgrims, GASTAT Figures Show
Saudi Arabia's statistics authority GASTAT confirmed 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj in 2026, detailing arrivals by origin, gender, and travel mode, a modest rise over 2025.
thehajj.guide Analysis (Page 30 of 80)
Smartphone Biometrics Now Central to Umrah Visa Issuance
Saudi Arabia has expanded the Saudi Visa Bio app, letting Umrah pilgrims register fingerprints and facial data from their smartphones and removing the need to visit visa centers in supported countries.
Hajj 2027: Saudi Arabia Scraps Package D in Three-Tier Overhaul
Saudi Arabia has scrapped the budget-tier Package D for Hajj 2027 and replaced it with three premium categories bundling accommodation, transport, and catering, prompting concern over higher costs for pilgrims.
King Salman Approves Hosting 1,000 Umrah Pilgrims as Royal Guests
King Salman has approved hosting 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries as royal guests at his personal expense, beginning with 250 pilgrims from 16 Asian nations in the first of four phases during 1448 AH.
Haram Authority Sets Separate Hijr Ismail Entry Times for Men and Women
Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque authority has set separate Hijr Ismail entry times: women from 6:00am to 9:00am and men from 10:00pm to 1:00am, to ease crowding near the Kaaba.
Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba Replaced in Annual Ceremony
Saudi Arabia has completed the annual replacement of the Kiswa covering the Holy Kaaba, a 1,415-kilogram covering of 47 embroidered silk panels crafted by 154 Saudi artisans.
From Around the Web (Page 3 of 13)
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa for pilgrims - Travel Tomorrow
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa for pilgrims Travel Tomorrow
Austria turns Adolf Hitler’s birthplace into police station
Austrian politicians hope the change will prevent neo-Nazis from visiting the building as a place of pilgrimage.
Hajj packages: Airfare cut by Tk 24,830 - Prothom Alo English
Hajj packages: Airfare cut by Tk 24,830 Prothom Alo English
Now you can get multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year - Time Out Riyadh
Now you can get multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year Time Out Riyadh
New Saudi visa lets Umrah pilgrims visit multiple times within a year - Euronews.com
New Saudi visa lets Umrah pilgrims visit multiple times within a year Euronews.com
Saudi Arabia's New Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa 2026: A Complete Guide to Validity, Rules and How to Apply - Wego Travel Blog
Saudi Arabia's New Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa 2026: A Complete Guide to Validity, Rules and How to Apply Wego Travel Blog