Saudi Arabia’s Hajj 2026 draws over 1.7 million pilgrims, Tawaf and lapidation rites observed

The 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia recorded a consolidated total of 1,707,301 participants, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics. Of these, 1,546,655 arrived from abroad while 160,646 were Saudi citizens and residents. The gender split was 893,396 men and 813,905 women.

On 27 May, more than 1.5 million pilgrims gathered at Mina for the symbolic lapidation rite, throwing seven stones at each of three pillars that represent the devil. After the stone‑throwing, many men shaved their heads and women clipped a small lock of hair, concluding the Hajj rituals. The Saudi authorities deployed extensive crowd‑control and security measures throughout Mecca, Mina and the surrounding areas to manage the massive flow of worshippers. Additional rites included the Tawaf circumambulation of the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque, where pilgrims completed seven counter‑clockwise circuits. The event also featured animal sacrifices tied to the Eid al‑Adha celebrations.