Saudi Arabia has received more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad ahead of Hajj 2026, Saudi officials said, as millions continue arriving despite months of regional instability and air travel disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
According to Saudi authorities, the number of international pilgrims has already exceeded last year’s foreign arrivals before the official start of Hajj rituals on Monday.
“The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153,” Saleh Al-Murabba told a press conference late Friday.
Officials expect the figure to rise further over the next two days as flights carrying pilgrims continue landing in the kingdom.
Last year, Saudi Arabia recorded a total Hajj attendance of 1,673,320 pilgrims, including 1,506,576 from outside the country.
The Hajj pilgrimage represents one of the five pillars of Islam and remains mandatory at least once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able.
Gulf airlines restore operations after regional conflict disruptions
This year’s pilgrimage preparations unfolded under extraordinary regional conditions after conflict erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Tehran later launched waves of retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf region.
The confrontation caused widespread airspace disruptions, flight cancellations and sharp increases in travel costs throughout the Middle East.
Major airlines based in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain were forced to suspend or reroute several flights during periods of heightened tension.
However, Gulf carriers gradually restored operations over recent weeks as regional airspace reopened and authorities introduced enhanced security coordination.
Despite travel complications, pilgrims continued travelling to Saudi Arabia from across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Saudi officials say state institutions remain fully mobilised to ensure smooth operations during the annual pilgrimage.
Authorities expanded crowd-control systems, transportation plans and healthcare services around Makkah and surrounding holy sites.
Saudi Arabia intensifies Hajj preparations and safety measures
The kingdom has also introduced stricter regulations this year regarding permits, crowd movement and safety compliance.
Saudi ministries earlier issued detailed Hajj guidance covering transportation routes, entry procedures and emergency measures.
Authorities additionally increased heat mitigation efforts as temperatures continue rising during the summer pilgrimage season.
Cooling stations, shaded walkways and water distribution systems have been expanded around pilgrimage areas including Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat.
Security agencies have also intensified monitoring to prevent unauthorized entry into Makkah without official Hajj permits.
Saudi Arabia hosts one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings during Hajj, requiring extensive logistical coordination involving transport, health, security and emergency response agencies.
Religious scholars and officials have repeatedly urged pilgrims to follow official instructions and maintain discipline to ensure safer movement during peak rituals.
With final arrivals still continuing, Saudi authorities expect one of the largest Hajj gatherings in recent years despite the challenging regional backdrop.
