Hajj 2026: Arafah Day Live Report

Chairman of the DPR Hajj Oversight Team and Deputy Speaker of the House Cucun Ahmad Syamsurizal has urged all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims not to leave their hotels until buses arrive to collect them for Arafah. He issued the advice to prevent dehydration or other illnesses during the Arafah plains on Tuesday (26 May). “We expect the group leaders and sector heads who have been briefed to ensure all procedures are followed so that pilgrims do not wait outside their rooms before the buses arrive,” Cucun said in Mecca on Monday (25 May).

Extreme heat is forecast in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as the 2026 Hajj culmination begins today, Monday (25 May). The Saudi Ministry of Health has advised pilgrims to regularly use umbrellas to prevent heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration while moving between holy sites. Umbrellas are said to lower ambient temperatures by up to 10 degrees Celsius and reduce physical strain during Hajj rituals.

The lead-up to the 2026 Hajj culmination began today, Monday (25 May), with Indonesian pilgrims moving towards Arafah. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) confirmed all preparations for the Hajj peak services in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna) are being finalised. All Indonesian pilgrims have arrived in Mecca and are entering the final preparation phase before proceeding to Arafah. Kemenhaj spokesperson Maria Assegaff stated that pilgrim movements from hotels to Arafah will take place today, the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, in three phases at 7:00, 11:30, and 16:30 Saudi time.