Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 21 Jun 2026, 6:51 PM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia restricted entry to Makkah from 13 April 2026 to Hajj permit holders only and suspended Umrah permits from 18 April to 31 May 2026 as the Kingdom prepares for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning around 25 May.
Saudia has launched Hajj 2026 operations with 160 aircraft and over one million seats spanning 145 global destinations, as part of Saudi Arabia's total air transport plan of 3.1 million seats across 12,000 flights.
Saudi Arabia has imposed fines of up to SAR 100,000 for facilitating unauthorised Hajj and up to SAR 20,000 for pilgrims performing Hajj without a permit, alongside 10-year re-entry bans for violators.
Hajj 1447H: 2026 NaTHNaC
GASTAT Releases Official Hajj 2026 Statistics: 1,707,301 Pilgrims - News and Statistics IndexBox
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice Al Jazeera
Another Ghanaian pilgrim dies in Saudi Arabia during Hajj Graphic Online
The sacred holiday coincides with Hajj, drawing over 1.7 million pilgrims seeking spiritual fulfilment in Saudi Arabia.
Defected Sudanese RSF commander Savannah performs Hajj in Mecca Middle East Eye