Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 27 Jul 2026, 12:22 PM (Saudi time)
Middle East airspace closures force Hajj 2026 flight rerouting, adding costs. India imposes USD 100 surcharge on 100,000+ pilgrims after negotiating down airline demands of USD 300-400.
A complete money guide for Hajj 2026: Saudi Riyal rates, cash vs cards, ATM and exchange options ranked by rate, personal budget of GBP 500-1,500 beyond your package, security tips, and tipping culture.
A practical guide to mobile connectivity for Hajj 2026: free SIM cards for Pakistan and India pilgrims, eSIM recommendations, coverage at each holy site, data needs (5-20GB), essential apps, and battery-saving tips.
A complete guide to menstruation during Hajj 2026: what women can and cannot do, the Tawaf al-Ifadah vs Tawaf al-Wada' distinction, Sa'i rulings across the four madhabs, period delay medication, and practical tips.
A practical food and nutrition guide for Hajj 2026: what to eat in Makkah and Mina, snacks to pack, a nutrition strategy for the Hajj days, special dietary needs, and the Sunnah of moderate eating.
Saudi Arabia launches a "Hajj Without Luggage" service for 2026, collecting bags in advance and delivering them to pilgrim accommodation. Philippines, Malaysia, and other countries participate, with 330,000 bags expected.
Saudi app Hudhud guides Umrah pilgrims through Makkah’s sacred and historic landscape Arab News
Kano Pilgrims’ Board returns N117m surplus from 2026 Hajj operations The Guardian Nigeria News
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa for pilgrims Travel Tomorrow
Austrian politicians hope the change will prevent neo-Nazis from visiting the building as a place of pilgrimage.
Hajj packages: Airfare cut by Tk 24,830 Prothom Alo English
Now you can get multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year Time Out Riyadh