hajj

Reports of a travel ban on Indians to Saudi Arabia are false, according to sources. Temporary visa restrictions during hajj are standard practice. UAE leaders congratulated Saudi Arabia for the successful hajj pilgrimage. Indian pilgrims joined millions in Wuquf-e-Arafat, with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh ensuring their safe journey. Consul General Fahad Suri acknowledged the support of Saudi authorities.

The UAE will open hajj 2026 registration in September 2025, prioritising citizens who have not performed the pilgrimage before. Registration will take place through Awqaf’s digital platforms, with detailed requirements to be announced. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s focus on innovation and efficient public service, ensuring a smooth and fair selection process for prospective pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia will restart issuing Umrah visas on June 10. The first pilgrims are expected on June 11. This follows a successful hajj season with over 1.6 million participants. The hajj season saw smooth operations across Mecca and Medina. Authorities paused Umrah visas before hajj to focus on the larger pilgrimage.

Ajman and Sharjah municipalities have banned the sale of Zamzam water in commercial establishments due to concerns about counterfeit products. This action follows the discovery of a fake Zamzam bottling operation in Sharjah. Authorities urge the public to obtain Zamzam water only through official Saudi channels to ensure authenticity and safety, respecting its religious significance and preventing fraudulent practices.

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new policy, effective June 10, 2025, requiring all Umrah pilgrims to have confirmed hotel bookings via the Nusuk Masar platform before visa issuance. This initiative aims to protect pilgrims' rights, eliminate fraudulent housing practices, and ensure high accommodation standards. The move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, integrating digital innovation to enhance the pilgrimage experience.

Saudi Arabia prepares for hajj 2025. The pilgrimage will feature advanced technology. Free high-speed internet will be available across holy sites. AI will manage crowds and ensure safety. The Grand Mosque will have a massive cooling system. A smart app will guide pilgrims. Medical support will be AI-assisted. These innovations aim to improve the experience for millions of Muslims.

In 2025, millions of Muslims will gather in Mecca for hajj, beginning June 4th. This pilgrimage, a central pillar of Islam, involves rituals symbolizing faith, unity, and sacrifice. Saudi authorities are implementing safety measures due to expected record turnout and high temperatures, including cooling stations and health services. Pilgrims will utilize technology like the hajj Smart App for assistance.

In 2025, approximately 1.8 million Muslims will undertake hajj, a mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca, scheduled from June 4-9. Saudi Arabia's Nusuk hajj platform is the only official channel for visa applications and bookings. Pilgrims must adhere to visa regulations, travel restrictions, and be aware of guidelines regarding accessibility and permitted areas, with penalties for non-compliance.

UAE residents can apply online for Saudi Arabia’s one-year multiple-entry eVisa, allowing travel for tourism, business, visiting family, or Umrah (excluding hajj season). The process is fully digital via ksavisa.sa, requiring a valid passport, UAE residency, photo, and visa documents. Fees include visa, application, and mandatory medical insurance. Most visas are issued within three working days.

The annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia is increasingly incorporating technology to manage the massive crowds and ensure safety. Drones with thermal imaging, AI, and facial recognition are being deployed to control access and prevent overcrowding.

The annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca commences amidst a history of tragic incidents, including stampedes, attacks, and fires. Last year, over 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme heat. This year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C, Saudi authorities have deployed 250,000 personnel from forty agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of over a million pilgrims.

More than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual hajj, with authorities vowing to hold a safer pilgrimage amid searing desert heat and a massive crackdown on illegal visitors. As of Friday, more than 1.3 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials.

Islam does not require Muslims to repeatedly perform hajj or Umrah. Instead, believers are commanded to perform hajj or Umrah once in their lifetime, and thereafter to live in accordance with the profound lessons gained during the pilgrimage.

Three Spanish Muslim pilgrims embarked on an extraordinary horseback journey from Spain to Mecca for the hajj, recreating a historical pilgrimage. Facing challenges like minefields in Bosnia and a near-drowning incident in France, their 4,000-mile trek across a dozen countries garnered a massive social media following.

Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said.

Ahead of Eid al-Adha, Muslims worldwide observe Yawm al-Arafah on June 5, 2025, a day of profound spiritual significance. Pilgrims at Mount Arafat seek divine mercy through prayer, while others fast and engage in worship. This day is believed to erase sins and strengthen faith, fostering unity and reflection before the celebrations of Eid al-Adha and the story of sacrifice.

Eid al-Adha 2025, a significant Islamic festival, will be observed in the United States from June 6th to 7th, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's devotion. The hajj pilgrimage is scheduled from June 4th to 9th, involving key rituals in Mecca. In the U.S., Muslims will celebrate with prayers, community events, and charitable acts, reinforcing faith, compassion, and unity.

Haj 2025 concluded safely and efficiently, hosting over 1.6 million pilgrims from 171 countries. Saudi Arabia's successful operation was attributed to early planning, precise execution, and advanced technologies in crowd management. Rigorous drills and proactive measures ensured a secure environment, reinforcing the Kingdom's leadership in organizing the world's largest religious gathering.