Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 11:51 AM (Saudi time)
A gold plaque from 1707 that once adorned the Kaaba's gate is on display at the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture in Makkah, part of a collection tracing centuries of care for the holy sites.
The sun aligned almost perfectly over the Kaaba on May 28, 2026, letting Muslims worldwide verify the Qibla. The overlap with Eid al-Adha happens only once every 33 years.
Saudi Arabia is opening regulated investment access to Makkah and Madinah, drawing global capital into a hospitality boom aimed at hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims a year by 2030.
Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route Initiative concluded its 1447 AH operations after pre-clearing 388,694 pilgrims on 1,227 flights from 17 ports across 10 countries, with Senegal and Brunei joining for the first time.
The Haj Committee of India has begun the preliminary phase for Hajj 2027, advising pilgrims to ready passports valid until at least December 31, 2027 after receiving Saudi preparation documents.
Saudi Arabia has discontinued the budget Package D and restructured Hajj 2027 services into three regulated tiers, introducing a mandatory integrated package and compulsory training for Hajj personnel.
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Ministry launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa Gulf News
Climate advocate Mina Hasman’s vision of designing cities that behave like forests and buildings that act like trees.
Investigators arrest 31-year-old man identified as Charles Medina in connection with death of Rapp who was 26US boxer Hannah Rapp, who in June fought for the World Boxing Council women’s featherweight championship, was killed on Saturday while she bicycled in Texas after a motorist struck her with...
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Makkah Tourism Transformation With New Ibis Hotel Development Strengthening Umrah Travel Growth, Pilgrimage Infrastructure and Year Round Hospitality Capacity Travel And Tour World
Umrah visa arrivals rise 22.5% to 931,500 at start of new season Saudi Gazette