Record Hajj Pilgrimage Surpasses 2025 Numbers Amid Middle East Conflict

Saudi Arabia reported that 1,518,153 pilgrims from outside the kingdom have arrived for the 2026 Hajj as of Friday. The Hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, obliges Muslims with the means to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The influx exceeds the total number of international visitors recorded in 2025, despite ongoing regional hostilities that have disrupted air travel across the Gulf.

Times of IsraelThe Straits TimesExpress Tribune

The surge follows a broader escalation that began after the United States and Israel conducted strikes on Iran in late February. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The ensuing conflict forced temporary closures of regional airspace, led to widespread flight cancellations, and drove up travel costs. Gulf carriers based in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain have since restored much of their operational capacity, enabling the continued flow of pilgrims to Mecca.

Times of Israel

• Foreign pilgrims arrived for 2026 Hajj: 1,518,153 (as of Friday).

Express Tribune

• Total pilgrims for 2025 Hajj: 1,673,320, including 1,506,576 foreign visitors.

Times of Israel

• The 2026 foreign count therefore exceeds the previous year’s international total by roughly 11,577 pilgrims, while the overall 2025 total remains higher due to larger domestic participation.

The Straits Times

Saudi officials emphasized that the Hajj proceeds safely despite the security environment. The commander of the Hajj Passport Forces, Saleh Al-Murabba, indicated that the foreign-pilgrim tally is expected to rise further over the next two days as arrivals continue ahead of the formal rituals that begin on Monday. Saudi security agencies have also deployed drones and artificial-intelligence tools to monitor crowd movements, though specific operational details were not disclosed.

Times of Israel

All three source excerpts convey identical arrival figures and contextual information. However, the reliability ratings differ: the Times of Israel article is assigned a reliability score of 44.83, while the other two sources lack explicit reliability metrics. No independent verification of the numbers beyond the Saudi official’s statement is provided, leaving a gap in external confirmation.

Times of Israel

• “The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153,” — Saleh Al-Murabba, Commander, Saudi Hajj Passport Forces

Times of Israel

Pilgrims are expected to continue arriving over the next 48 hours, after which the Hajj’s formal rites will commence on Monday. Saudi authorities will maintain heightened security measures throughout the pilgrimage period, while airlines monitor the evolving regional situation to ensure continued access to Mecca.

Times of Israel