Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 16 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia recorded a 22.5 percent rise in Umrah arrivals this season, with more than 1.27 million international pilgrims entering the Kingdom. Pakistan, Indonesia and Iraq led the numbers, and 75 percent arrived by air.
Saudi Arabia has completed a full cloud migration of its Hajj and Umrah Data Center, which serves more than 20 million pilgrims a year and powers the Nusuk platform, the Electronic Hajj and Umrah Portal and over 500 digital services.
Saudi Arabia suspended 21 Umrah companies on 14 July 2026 after inspections found regulatory violations and poor service, reinforcing its push for stricter oversight ahead of the new Umrah season.
For Hajj 2027, Saudi Arabia has made completion of a mandatory training programme a condition for the visas and permits that external Hajj offices need, part of broader reforms including integrated packages and a three-tier structure.
The Grand Mosque's integrated cooling system, one of the world's largest at about 155,000 refrigeration tons, holds indoor temperatures at 22-24C, while shaded areas at Arafat have expanded fivefold to over 272,000 square metres.
Egypt approved new Umrah regulations for the 1448 season on 16 July 2026, making the Rafeeq monitoring app mandatory for pilgrims and imposing tighter controls on tour operators, advertising and transport.
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