World's largest cooling system keeps Grand Mosque at 24C
One of the world's largest cooling systems keeps the Grand Mosque in Makkah between 22C and 24C, protecting pilgrims from extreme summer heat.
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Last updated: 26 Jul 2026, 11:37 AM (Saudi time)
One of the world's largest cooling systems keeps the Grand Mosque in Makkah between 22C and 24C, protecting pilgrims from extreme summer heat.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year, allowing pilgrims a cumulative stay of up to 90 days across several visits.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published an official Umrah and Visit Guide in sixteen languages, offering step-by-step instructions from pre-travel preparation through the performance of the rituals.
Saudi Arabia has restructured its Hajj offerings for the 2027 season into three enhanced categories and discontinued the low-cost Package D, folding accommodation, transport and catering into a single mandatory package.
A rare Qur'an manuscript penned more than a thousand years ago by the master calligrapher Ibn Al-Bawwab is drawing visitors to the Iqra exhibition at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
For the 1448 season, Saudi Arabia has cut the Umrah visa entry window to 30 days, made Nusuk-linked hotel and transport bookings mandatory before issuance, and allowed holders of all visa types to perform Umrah.
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