Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 11:51 AM (Saudi time)
Authorities in Madinah have expanded digital services at the Prophet's Mosque, adding real-time prayer-area monitoring, smart indoor maps and live sermon translation, while telecom operator stc lifted network capacity by 18 percent for the peak season.
Saudi authorities deployed more than 400 cooling and misting stations, heat-reflective pavement, shaded canopies, and the Mashaer metro to protect pilgrims from extreme heat during the 1447 Hajj.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites closed the 1447 Hajj with 93.1 percent pilgrim satisfaction, over 2.5 million transport movements, a 400-bed Mina hospital, and a record 1.2 million Adahi contracts.
Saudi Arabia Railways says the Haramain High Speed Railway moved more than 1.16 million pilgrims over 5,569 trips during the 1447 AH Hajj season, with on-time performance above 98 percent.
Saudi Arabia expanded AI across the 1447 Hajj, using SDAIA platforms Baseer and Sawaher for crowd monitoring, a multilingual robot, the Makkah Route Initiative, and the Nusuk Card for digital identity and medical records.
The Day of Ashura, the tenth of Muharram, is expected on June 25, 2026, as the Islamic year 1448 AH begins. Fasting it is a strongly recommended Sunnah that expiates the previous year's sins.
Saudi Arabia launches multiple-entry Umrah visa - The Jordan News Agency وكالة الانباء الاردنية
Saudi Arabia introduces year-long multiple-entry Umrah visa The Arab Weekly
Bangladesh urges Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj backup housing quota at 1.0pc for 2027 The Financial Express
Is It Safe to Travel to Makkah Now? (July 2026) Wego Travel Blog
Saudi Arabia Ignites a New Era of Religious Travel as Makkah and Madinah Welcome Global Pilgrims with One Year Multiple Entry Umrah Visa, Flexible Ninety Day Stay and Easier Access to the Kingdom Travel And Tour World
Indonesia Stands Along With Iraq, Egypt, India, Pakistan and Other Global Countries as Saudi Arabia Umrah Tourism Surges in 2026, With Leading Pilgrim Source Markets Driving International Religious Travel Growth, With Multiple-Entry Visa Demand, Aviati Travel And Tour World