Record in Mecca: More than 1.5 million pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, despite the conflicts in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia has already received more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad for this year's Islamic hajj pilgrimage, surpassing the level recorded for the same period last year, despite the regional context marked by tensions and security risks.
Mecca Pilgrimage PHOTO: X
A Saudi border police official, Saleh al-Murabba, told a news conference that “the total number of visitors now stands at 1,518,153.” Authorities expect the figure to rise further until the official start of the pilgrimage, scheduled for early next week.
In 2025, about 1.67 million believers participated in the hajj, of which more than 1.5 million came from outside Saudi Arabia, indicating a strong return of the flow of pilgrims after years affected by restrictions and logistical disruptions, according to AFP, quoted by Agerpres.
The organization of this year's edition takes place against the backdrop of regional security concerns, in the context of conflicts and tensions between states in the Gulf area.
The situation has already affected air traffic in the region and driven up travel costs, although some airlines in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain have gradually resumed operations at high capacity.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, involves a series of religious rituals performed over several days in and around Mecca.
Every Muslim is obliged to perform it at least once in his life, if he has the financial and physical ability to do so.
