Latest updates from top global and Saudi news sources
Last updated: 21 Sep 2026, 11:04 AM (Saudi time)
Saudi Arabia recorded more than 11.29 million Umrah performers between October and December 2025, according to new GASTAT figures, with international pilgrims slightly outnumbering domestic ones.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 Umrah service companies after performance reviews found low service levels and regulatory violations ahead of the 1448 season.
Saudi Arabia's Nusuk app now offers a zero-data feature that lets Umrah pilgrims access permits, maps and emergency contacts without mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense has launched early preparations for the 2027 Hajj, evaluating services and safety compliance before the last 1447 pilgrims departed.
Saudi Arabia deployed its largest-ever cooling and shading infrastructure during the 1447 Hajj, expanding shaded areas at Arafat and adding misting systems to protect pilgrims from extreme summer heat.
Saudi Arabia has fixed a chain of operational deadlines for the 2027 Hajj season, requiring pilgrim data uploads by mid-August and airlift agreements before November 8, 2026.