Saudi Arabia Says 1.51 Million Foreign Pilgrims Arrive for Hajj 2026
Saudi Arabia said hajj 2026 began after 1.51 million pilgrims arrived from outside the kingdom, 11,000 more than last year. The first day brought 45C heat, tawaf at Mecca's Grand Mosque, and the move to Mina.
The pilgrimage opened against the backdrop of a region shaken by a three-month-old conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. A fragile ceasefire took effect last month, but the Hajj started while pilgrims still faced the war's aftereffects in travel and security concerns.
Mecca and Mina
Saudi authorities said the foreign turnout reached 1.51 million last week, a larger crowd than last year despite months of uncertainty, air traffic disruption and surging travel costs. Jreish Mohammed, a 68-year-old Moroccan pilgrim, described the trip as the culmination of a long wait: "I have wanted to perform the pilgrimage my entire life, for 40 or 50 years," he said. "And this year, my dream came true."
The route on the first day was the standard one, but the conditions were not. Pilgrims walked around the Kaaba seven times in tawaf before travelling 5km, or 3 miles, to Mina, where they spent the night in tents before heading to Mount Arafat.
Saudi Defense Ministry Video
War fears were not abstract in Saudi Arabia. Two civilians living in the central city of al-Kharj and a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base were killed in an Iranian attack on 8 March, and Iran's missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours had continued before the ceasefire took effect.
Last week, the Saudi defence ministry posted a video on social media showing air defence batteries on the outskirts of Mecca. The ministry said: "The air defence forces are responsible for protecting the skies over the holy sites and dealing with all aerial threats, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of the guests,".
Mohammed Chahada in Mecca
Mohammed Chahada, an Egyptian pilgrim, said as he left Mecca's Grand Mosque: "The war in Iran has affected the entire world. Nobody wants wars or harm to countries and peoples," reflecting a mood that followed many pilgrims through the opening rituals. The Hajj, which takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the five Pillars of Islam.
The pilgrimage has already begun, but the regional war still shapes the experience around it: the crowds have arrived, the ritual path has started, and Saudi Arabia is still showing its air defences near the holy sites. The next decisive moment in the pilgrimage will come when the pilgrims head to Mount Arafat after their night in Mina.
