Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 20 Sep 2026, 10:23 AM (Saudi time)
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has received the national AI ethics badge from SDAIA for its Nusuk AI service, as it expands artificial intelligence in crowd management, forecasting and pilgrim guidance.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now requires a verified medical fitness certificate, processed through the Nusuk Masar platform, before any Hajj 2027 visa can be issued.
Nigeria's National Hajj Commission has fixed 2027 Hajj fares between N7.56 million and N7.88 million and reaffirmed 26 September as the deadline for intending pilgrims to register and submit biometric data.
Lembaga Tabung Haji will issue Hajj offer letters to 31,600 prospective pilgrims for the 2027 season in stages from 21 September, keeping the pilgrimage cost at RM33,300 for a fourth year.
Heavy rain and hail hit Makkah on 13 September 2026 as worshippers continued praying at the Grand Mosque, part of a wider thunderstorm system the National Centre for Meteorology had forecast across the Kingdom.
Pakistan has extended to 25 September the deadline for Umrah pilgrims leaving Karachi to hold digitally verified vaccination certificates, after airport officials sought more time to implement the NADRA-linked system.
Businesses in Makkah, Madinah expecting 40% losses from Umrah pilgrimage ban Arab News