More than 1.5million Muslims have gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth.
Each year, millions of worshippers travel to the holy city of Mecca to take part in the sacred journey, which is a key pillar of Islam and something many Muslims hope to complete at least once in their lifetime.
Over several days, pilgrims carry out a series of important rituals, including circling around the holy Kaaba – a cube-shaped stone building draped in a black cloth at the centre of Mecca’s Grand Mosque – and gathering at Mount Arafat for prayers and reflection.
The pilgrimage takes place during Dhul Hujjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, with the Day of Arafah, an Islamic holiday, starting on Tuesday.
This year’s Hajj comes amid major regional tensions due to the war between the US and Israel and Iran.
New UpdatesView PostView PostToday21:43 BST
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology said daytime temperatures in Mecca during the Hajj this week are expected to range between 42C and 47C.
Eliana NunesToday21:22 BST
Iran’s allocation was reportedly cut to 30,000 pilgrims this year, nearly two-thirds fewer than usual, amid tensions over the war in the Middle East.
Iranian travel plans had shifted to using overland convoys through Iraq, before the ceasefire restored air access and enabled Iranian pilgrims to fly into Medina from April 25. Semafor reports.
In 2016, no Iranian attended Hajj amid a rupture of diplomatic ties between the two countries and accusations from Tehran that Riyadh wasn’t doing enough to protect pilgrims.
Christopher MallettToday20:25 BST
More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is taking place amid a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war and a global energy crisis.
Saleh bin Saad al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said that more than 1.5 million pilgrims had entered the kingdom by Friday, with more expected.
Eliana Nunes
Today20:17 BST
About 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims are performing the Hajj in Mecca as Saudi Arabia hosts the annual pilgrimage.
It comes as Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post this morning that following discussions over the weekend with Persian Gulf and other regional leaders, “it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords”. The set of agreements has normalised diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states including Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco and Sudan.
“It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit. If they don’t, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intention,” Trump said.
“In speaking to numerous of the Great Leaders mentioned above, they would be honored, as soon as our Document is signed, to have the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Abraham Accords. Wow, now that would be something special! This will be the most important Deal that any of these Great, but always in Conflict Countries, will ever sign.”
He added: “Therefore, I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition.”
Eliana NunesToday19:45 BST
Hajj is an Arabic word that literally means “to intend a journey” or “to set out with a specific purpose”.
In Islamic belief, its roots are linked to the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Isma‘il), who are said to have been commanded by God to build or rebuild the Kaaba in Mecca.
The pilgrimage rituals associated with Hajj are understood in Islam as being restored and formalised later by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE.
Eliana NunesToday18:04 BST
Touching the holy Kaaba is a deeply symbolic act of devotion for Muslims.
While they do not worship the structure itself, many touch the surface to follow the tradition of Prophet Muhammad and honour the historical legacy of the prophets.
Touching the Kaaba is believed to bring spiritual blessings and the forgiveness of sins.
Many Muslims touch the Kaaba during Hajj(Image: Saudi Press Agency/APAImages/Shutterstock)
Today17:02 BST
Hajj unfolds through a series of sacred rites carried out over several days in and around Mecca, each marking a different stage of the spiritual journey.
Day 1
Step 1: Ihram (entering the pilgrimage) – Pilgrims enter a state of spiritual purity, wearing simple white clothing and declaring their intention to perform Hajj.
Step 2: Tawaf (circling the Kaaba) – Worshippers circle the Kaaba seven times in the Grand Mosque at Mecca.
Step 3: Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah) – Pilgrims walk back and forth between two hills, retracing a historic act of devotion.
Step 4: Mina (the tent city) – Millions gather in a vast encampment outside Mecca, spending time in prayer and reflection.
Day 2
Step 5: Arafat (the central day of Hajj) – Considered the most important day, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat in prayer and reflection.
Step 6: Muzdalifah (overnight under the sky) – Worshippers sleep outdoors and collect small stones for the next ritual.
Day 3
Step 7: Stoning of the pillars – Pilgrims symbolically throw stones at pillars representing temptation and evil.
Step 8: Eid al-Adha sacrifice – The festival begins, marking an act of devotion linked to Prophet Ibrahim.
Step 9: Shaving or cutting hair – Pilgrims mark spiritual renewal by cutting or shaving their hair.
Step 10: Final Tawaf – A final farewell circling of the Kaaba before leaving Mecca.
Days 4 and 5
Return to Mina – Pilgrims repeat the stoning ritual at all three pillars before completing their pilgrimage.
Zahra KhaliqToday16:15 BST
Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim says she is grateful to God have made it to the Hajj – which is a requirement for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it.
“I am in a state of blessing and happiness,” she told AFP. “It”s an indescribable feeling, truly. I mean, thank God, I am in a blessing.”
Zahra KhaliqToday15:37 BST
As they brave the intense heat to perform religious rituals, many pilgrims have been seen using umbrellas for shade and carrying handheld fans.
Volunteers are also handing out water bottles to help them stay hydrated and fans spray fine mists of water.
Mecca has recorded sweltering highs of 44C today.
Saudi Arabia saw highs of 44C today(Image: STRINGER/EPA/Shutterstock)
Pilgrims have braved the intense heat in Mecca(Image: STRINGER/EPA/Shutterstock)
Today15:12 BST
Worshippers have been pouring into Saudi Arabia, with the mass gathering taking place against a backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in the US-Iran war.
Diplomic efforts are ongoing in the background, with talks focusing on wider Middle East tensions and concerns around Iran’s nuclear programme.
The US has repeatedly called for Iran to give up its enriched uranium, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said nuclear issues were not part of the initial framework and would instead be dealt with in later negotiations.
Authorities in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, have issued instructions to avoid pilgrims incurring extra travel costs. High fuel prices have meanwhile pushed up travel costs for pilgrims in India.
Zahra KhaliqToday14:49 BST
Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University in Virginia, said from the tent city of Mina that this Hajj “is, in effect, a hard reset for me”.
“I pray that I emerge on the other side of this journey with a new sense of purpose and the discipline to see it through,” he told AP.
“It is for many pilgrims the most difficult thing they will ever do in their lives,” he added. “But nothing this meaningful is ever going to be easy”.
Youssef said it was inspiring “to see so many who have sacrificed so much to be here […] only to compete with one another in giving charity and helping each other along the way. All this in the hope that their intentions and actions may be accepted by their Lord.”
Zahra KhaliqToday14:23 BST
Muslims across the world are arriving in the holy city of Mecca, where almost two million worshippers will embark on the sacred annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims considered physically and financially able to perform the pilgrimage. The journey must be made by all worshippers at least once in their lifetime.
Two million Muslims are expected to perform Hajj this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Hajj symbolises unity and devotion as well as giving Muslims a chance to seek spiritual purification and strengthen their faith.
Full story: What happens during Hajj 2026 as Eid Al-Adha day confirmed
Zahra Khaliq
Today14:03 BST
Congregational prayer is a central part of Hajj, with worshippers often seen gathering in vast numbers to pray shoulder-to-shoulder across Mecca’s holy sites.
For many Muslims, this physical closeness stregthens community and spiritual connection.
Praying together also demonstrates equality, unity, and submission to Allah without regard to race, nationality, or social standing.
Zahra KhaliqToday13:22 BST
Striking scenes from Mecca show huge crowds of worshippers dressed in white as Hajj gets underway in Saudi Arabia.
The simple garments, known as Ihram, are worn to symbolise equality and unity – regardless of wealth, nationality or status.
Muslims line up to pray in Mecca(Image: Saudi Press Agency/APAImages/Shutterstock)
An aerial view of the Grand Mosque complex(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia each year.
This year, up to two million Muslims are expected to land in the holy city of Mecca.
Zahra Khaliq
Today12:26 BST
A timelapse from Mecca shows Muslim worshippers performing Tawaf – the ritual of circling around the Kaaba. Tawaf is an obligatory act of devotion performed during both the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Zahra KhaliqToday12:10 BST
Hotels, airports and roads are filling up fast as pilgrims continue pouring into Mecca for Hajj.
Worshippers are being advised to protect themselves with an umbrella, hydrate often and avoid peak outdoor hours with temperatures set to reach highs of 44C today.
Temperatures have exceeded 40C in Mecca(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The majority of Muslims will be celebrating Eid al-Adha on May 27.
The festival is one of the two blessed Eids celebrated as Muslims. It follows the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage period, and is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice”.
Performed after the Eid prayer, Muslims around the world come together to take part in Qurbani – the ritual sacrifice of livestoc, typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel – reflecting the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim and his unwavering obedience to Allah.
Qurbani commemorates the faith of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah’s command. It provides a means for Muslims to reach the level of submission he showed to Allah.
Zahra Khaliq
Today11:58 BST
Pilgrims often undertake long-distance walking under intense heat when traveling between holy sites to perform their rituals in Mecca.
This week, sweltering conditions are expected as the Gulf countries enter the summer season.
Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 42C and 44C, with lows of 26C and 29C.
Zahra KhaliqToday11:53 BST
Before pilgrims arrive, they prepare and meditate on their intention (niyyah) to perform the Hajj.
Then it is time to enter the spiritual state of Ihram or ritual purity. Muslims wear special white garments to symbolise the equality of pilgrims in front of Allah – with no difference between the rich and poor, or ethnic backgrounds.
To reach a state of holiness, certain things such as sex, smoking or shaving parts of the body, are also prohibited during Hajj.
Muslim worshippers walk along the Grand Mosque complex under the water-mist fans installed in the holy city of Mecca(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Among the five most important Muslim practices, known as the Five Pillars of Islam, is completing Hajj – a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslims should complete this at least once in their lifetime – as long as they are physically and financially able to do so.
In visiting the holy city of Mecca, the birthplace of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, and completing various religious rites, Muslim pilgrims meet this mandatory duty.