As millions of pilgrims gather in Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage, extreme heatwaves have raised urgent safety concerns. With temperatures expected to reach dangerous levels, authorities are implementing massive cooling initiatives and health protocols to protect those performing the rites.


Haj Heatwaves: Extreme Heat Raises Haj Safety Concerns

Despite regional tensions and the ongoing Iran conflict, millions of Muslim pilgrims continue to arrive in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi authorities say more than 1.5 million international pilgrims have already entered the Kingdom, surpassing last year's foreign arrival figures. Enhanced security measures, restored flight operations, and extensive logistical preparations have helped ensure a strong turnout for one of the world's largest religious gatherings. 


Huge International Arrivals For Upcoming Haj Despite Iran War 

A historic moment for Haj 2026 as Kerala leads the way with 4,477 women pilgrims traveling in the LWM category — the largest single contingent of women since 2018. For many, it’s a journey of faith made possible without a male guardian, reflecting growing access and empowerment. Families across the state are celebrating this milestone as women prepare for the spiritual trip to Mecca, marking a new chapter in India’s Haj story.

Kerala Sends Largest All-Women Haj Group Since 2018, Marks Milestone Journey

A historic moment for Haj 2026 as Kerala leads the way with 4,477 women pilgrims traveling in the LWM category — the largest single contingent of women since 2018. For many, it’s a journey of faith made possible without a male guardian, reflecting growing access and empowerment. Families across the state are celebrating this milestone as women prepare for the spiritual trip to Mecca, marking a new chapter in India’s Haj story.


Record Haj Journey: Kerala Sends Largest Women-Only Group Since 2018

More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. Watch in for more details!

Haj Pilgrimage: Intense heat claims lives of Haj pilgrimage, over 1,300 die

More than 1,300 pilgrims died during the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

Global heatwave has not spared the Muslim pilgrims who made their way to Hajj, the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The rising mercury, and death toll has once against brought climate change back in under the lens.

Deadly heatwave kills over 1000 Muslim pilgrims on Hajj

The death toll from this year's Haj has exceeded 1,000 more than half of whom were unregistered worshippers performing the pilgrimage in extreme heat in Saudi Arabia. Watch in for more details!

Haj death toll tops 1,000 amid extreme heat

At least 922 people have died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca amid scorching heat. Watch in for more details!

Heatwave kills 922 during Hajj pilgrimage, several missing

19 Muslim pilgrims have died from intense heat during Haj in Saudi Arabia. Of the deceased pilgrims, 14 are from Jordan and five are from Iran, according to reports. Watch in for more details!

Soaring heat claims 19 lives at Haj pilgrimage

19 pilgrims die of heat in Saudi Arabia's Haj pilgrimage

The war in Gaza has dashed the dreams of Palestinians willing to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca the holiest side in Islamic World Palestinians are unable to go on the pilgrimage as there's no way out of the Gaza Strip.

Israel-Hamas war: Gaza war shatters pilgrimage dreams of Palestinian couple

As the biggest Hajj post the pandemic nears its end, pilgrims pelted stones at the three walls of Mina on the east of Mecca observing a ritual called ramy-al-jamaat, meaning the stoning of the devil.

Biggest Hajj of the post-pandemic era nears end

In Pics | Journey to Mecca

Muslim pilgrims head to Mecca for hajj despite surge in travel costs

Vast crowds of robed pilgrims made solemn circles around the Kaaba, the black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque, on Sunday as the biggest hajj pilgrimage in years began in the heat of the Saudi summer.

‘Largest Hajj pilgrimage in history’ begins in Saudi Arabia

Huge crowds circle Kaaba as hajj begins in Saudi

Amid a rise in inflation and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, people in Pakistan have started to face difficulties in performing Haj, Pakistan vernacular media reported.

Amid surge in inflation, Pakistanis face difficulties in performing Haj

Haj 2023: Haj Committee of India started the registration for Haj 2023 applications on February 10. Earlier, the last date for the Haj 2023 application submission was March 10.

Haj 2023 Last date of application today: Check how to register for Haj 2023, extended last date & eligibility

The selection process for pilgrims for Haj 2022 will be based on several Covid-appropriate criteria, including complete inoculation with all required doses, and in accordance with the guidelines set by the governments of India and Saudi Arabia, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Friday.

Selection of Haj pilgrims to be based on Covid-appropriate criteria

In a significant stride towards women empowerment, dozens of female soldiers have become a part of the security services that monitor pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, the birthplaces of Islam. For the first time, Saudi female soldiers are standing guard in Mecca as thousands of Muslim pilgrims take part in this year's haj. Women dressed in military khaki uniforms were seen monitoring the security situation in the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Along with khaki, they were sporting a hip-length jacket, loose trousers, and a black beret over a veil covering their hair.

For the first time, Saudi women stand guard in Mecca during Haj

Fewer pilgrims than normal flocked to the city of Mina, the first of the three-day stoning of the devil ritual amid the coronavirus. The annual ritual usually brings millions of worshippers from all over the world shoulder to shoulder. Clad in white robes denoting a state of purity and face masks, men and women cast their stones in Mina, a neighbourhood east of Mecca. After their third day of stoning, pilgrims will go back to Mecca to pray at the Grand Mosque at the end of haj.

Hajj pilgrims take part in first of three-day 'stoning of the devil' ritual

Saudi Arabia has restricted the annual Haj pilgrimage to its own citizens and residents for the second year running in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the state Saudi Press Agency (SPA)reported on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia bars foreign travellers from Haj over COVID-19

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

Indonesia cancels Hajj pilgrimage again due to coronavirus concerns

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