Saudi Arabia: Successful 2026 Hajj Management Serves 1.7 Million Pilgrims

Istanbul (ANTARA) — Saudi Arabia has announced the successful organisation of the 1447 Hijri/2026 Hajj pilgrimage, supported by integrated security, organisation, and services. The announcement was made by Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, in a statement released on Friday, 29 May, just before the end of the Hajj season. According to Prince Saud, this year’s Hajj was supported by integrated security, organisation, and services, enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals smoothly and safely. He stressed that the successful organisation of Hajj is not the end of Saudi Arabia’s responsibilities, but the beginning of new duties in serving Islam and Muslims. On Tuesday, Saudi statistical authorities reported that this year’s Hajj saw 1,707,301 pilgrims, comprising 1,546,655 from 165 countries and 160,646 from within Saudi Arabia. This figure is higher than the 1,673,230 pilgrims in 2025 but still below the 1.83 million recorded in 2024. The Hajj rituals began on Monday, 25 May, with pilgrims arriving in Mina, western Saudi Arabia, amid tight security and service support. The six-day pilgrimage included the ritual of standing at Arafat, overnight stay at Muzdalifah, stoning the pillars in Mina, and the farewell tawaf at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The 2026 Hajj season concluded on Saturday.