Saudi Arabia Hosts Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims for Hajj 2026 Amid Security and Weather Challenges

More than 1.5 million pilgrims from 104 countries have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj, surpassing last year’s numbers despite the ongoing Middle‑East conflict. The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs highlighted a special guest programme that includes 1,300 scholars, 200 Liberian pilgrims and 1,000 Sudanese families of martyrs.

The Kingdom has activated a comprehensive logistics and safety plan: the Saudi Water Authority introduced an integrated water‑service code with digital monitoring; the Saudi Red Crescent Authority deployed an air‑ambulance fleet of 11 helicopters and seven helipads; and the Ministry of Defense positioned air‑defence, special‑forces and CBRN units to protect the crowd.

The National Center for Meteorology warned of dust‑storms and extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 47 °C in Makkah and 44 °C in Madinah, urging pilgrims to stay hydrated and follow safety guidelines. Security teams have also shut down 217 fake Hajj campaigns and prevented hundreds of unauthorized entries.

Overall, Saudi authorities are coordinating water supply, medical response, crowd control and security measures to ensure a safe and orderly pilgrimage for millions of worshippers.