Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 16 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology forecasts a hotter-than-normal August with stronger winds and dust, prompting heat-safety guidance for Umrah pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi Arabia has cut Hajj 2027 service packages to three tiers, discontinued the budget Package D and bundled accommodation, transport and catering into one mandatory integrated package.
Saudi Arabia has launched a digital platform for the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah offering an interactive map, live crowd tracking and real-time prayer occupancy updates for visitors.
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed the vaccination and health requirements pilgrims must meet for the 1448 AH Hajj, led by the mandatory meningococcal vaccine, as countries begin registering pilgrims for 2027.
Saudi Arabia's Hajj 2027 operational calendar sets 14 August as the start of pilgrim data uploads on the Masar Nusuk platform, with visas issued from January and flights beginning in April.
The Haj Committee of India held its digital Qurrah draw for Hajj 2027 on 30 July and set 10 August 2026 as the deadline for selected pilgrims to pay the INR 152,300 advance amount.
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