Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 20 Jun 2026, 12:02 PM (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.
Muslims begin the annual Hajj in sweltering heat against a backdrop of war concerns Ottumwa Courier
The timeless character of Hajj The National
Hajj 2026: Millions Gather Despite War — What To Know About Mecca NDTV Profit
Hajj pilgrim numbers surpass 2025 arrivals despite Middle East war arabnews.jp
Hajj 2026: From Key Dates To Rituals, All You Need To Know NDTV Profit
Hajj pilgrims battle Mecca's scorching heat with ice cream and giant fans France 24