Hajj 2026: Millions flock to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage despite Middle East war – key dates, rituals explained | Today’s news

Hajj 2026: More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj, surpassing the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East, international news agency officials quoted officials as saying.

Pilgrims start arriving early Saudi Arabiahowever, the main rituals begin on Monday, May 25, according to the strict chronological order of the Hajj rituals, which are observed each year, three days before Eid al-Adha– the Feast of Sacrifice, which this year falls on May 27 in Saudi Arabia.

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In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on May 28, except in Kashmir, where Muslims will celebrate it on May 27.

“The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153,” Saleh Al-Murabba, commander of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Passport Force, told a press conference on Friday, May 22.

The numbers are expected to rise further over the next two days as pilgrims continue to arrive from abroad ahead of the formal rituals that mark the start of the Hajj on Monday.

Last year, the total number of Hajj pilgrims reached 1,673,320, of which 1,506,576 were from countries outside Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s shadow of war

Hajj 2026 takes place against the backdrop of a ceasefire in the Iran war and related uncertainty in the Middle East.

The Middle East war, sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has seen Tehran order waves of attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and across the Persian Gulf, causing widespread disruption to air travel and driving up travel costs.

But major Gulf airlines in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain were working to quickly restore much of their operational capacity after weeks of airspace closures and flight cancellations, AFP news agency reported.

Despite the complications, pilgrims continue to flock to Saudi Arabia to participate in this year’s Hajj, he said.

What is Hajj?

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer (Namaz), almsgiving (Zakat) and fasting (Ramadan).

The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a number of religious rituals. The once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage is obligatory for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to do it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once in their lifetime.

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Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Zil Hajj or Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar year.

This year, the Hajj officially begins on Monday, May 25.

In fulfilling their religious duty, Muslims immerse themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and erasure of past sins during the Hajj.

Timeline of key Hajj rituals

The Hajj rituals, which begin today, May 25, usually last for five days. But the first three days of Hajj are considered the most significant of the entire pilgrimage. During these three days, devotees move between Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, where they pray, listen to sermons, and participate in other symbolic rituals.

Pilgrims wear a special dress called Ihram on May 25, 8 Zil Hajj. The dress code and restrictions are meant to put all pilgrims on a similar footing regardless of wealth, nationality or social status.

On the first day of Hajj today, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, which is on Monday, pilgrims travel from Mecca to Mina, an area about eight kilometers from the Great Mosque – the Kaaba. He spends there day and night in prayers and preparations for the next stage of the pilgrimage.

The second day of the Hajj is the day of Arafah (May 26), which is considered the most important day of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims leave Mina and travel to the plains of Arafat, 20 kilometers from Mecca. The Hajj is not complete without standing on Arafat, the mountain where Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon during his last pilgrimage.

Muslims perform evening prayers around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex on May 24, 2026, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj, according to a Saudi official, surpassing the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East. (Photo: Zain JAAFAR / AFP)(AFP)

On the third day of the Hajj, which also marks the beginning of Eid al-Adha, pilgrims return to Mina before sunrise. He begins the ritual of throwing seven stones at the largest pillar known as Jamrat al-Aqaba. This act symbolizes the rejection of evil and follows the story of Prophet Ibrahim resisting the temptations of Satan.

Pilgrims then perform the animal sacrifice associated with Eid al-Adha. The ritual commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God before God replaced the child with a ram. The meat from the sacrifice is distributed to families and communities in need.

Pilgrims then return to the Grand Mosque of the Kaaba in Mecca to perform the Tawaf al-Ifadah, where they walk around the Kaaba seven times, or the farewell circumambulation, where they circumambulate the Kaaba one last time before ending their Hajj pilgrimage.

Chronology

The pilgrimage follows a strict chronological order of rituals:

Day 1 (25 May – 8 May Dhul Hijjah or 8 Zil Hajj): Yawm al-Tarwiyah: Pilgrims enter the sacred state of Ihram, carry out their intention and travel from Makkah to the tented city of Mina. He spends day and night in prayer and meditation.

Day 2 (May 26-9 Zil Hajj): Day of Arafat: This is the culmination of the Hajj. Pilgrims gather on the plains of Mount Arafat from noon until sunset to seek forgiveness and mercy from God. At dusk they travel to Muzdalifah to spend the night there.

Day 3 (May 27-10 Zil Hajj): Yawm an-Nahr (Eid al-Adha) Pilgrims return to Mina to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil (Rama al-Jamarat) by throwing pebbles at the largest pillar. They then perform an animal sacrifice, shave or cut their hair, and travel to Makkah to perform the Tawaf al-Ifadah (Circumambulation of the Kaaba).

Days 4 & 5 (May 28-29 – Zil Hajj 11-12): Days of Tashreeq: Pilgrims stay in Mina to stone all three pillars of the Jamarat each day. They can complete the Hajj and return to Mecca on the 12th day, or stay until the 13th day for more prayers.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage that every Muslim must undertake if possible.

Conclusion (May 30-13 Zill Hajj): Before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a final circumambulation of the Kaaba, known as the Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf).

(With input from AFP and AP)

Key things

• Hajj rituals follow a strict chronological order, with key days including Yawm al-Tarwiyah, the Day of Arafat and Eid al-Adha.
• Despite geopolitical tensions and air travel disruptions, the pilgrimage enjoys significant attendance, highlighting the faith’s resilience.
• The Hajj serves as a unifying event for Muslims that transcends borders and social status through shared rituals.