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News for pilgrims

Visa rules, Nusuk and Rawdah changes, transport and season dates — short, with what it means for your trip.

  • The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: A Time for Intense Worship and Blessings

    The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah: A Time for Intense Worship and Blessings

    RIYADH — Saudi Grand Mufti and President of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan has urged Muslims to increase their righteous deeds and worship, such as prayer, charity, fasting, and frequent remembrance of Allah during the blessed first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. He highlighted the Prophetic Traditions that indicate that righteous deeds performed during these days are more beloved to God Almighty than deeds performed at any other time. “Muslims should strive to increase their righteous deeds during these days, while being diligent in performing obligatory acts of worship and avoiding sins.

  • Tawakkalna: 19 languages and 1300 services for pilgrims

    Tawakkalna: 19 languages and 1300 services for pilgrims

    MAKKAH — The comprehensive national application Tawakkalna enabled pilgrims and personnel working during the Hajj season of 2026 to access government services related to Hajj in 19 international languages. This initiative formed part of an integrated digital ecosystem led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with the objective of facilitating the pilgrims’ journey and enhancing their digital experience from the moment of their arrival in the Kingdom until their departure. The Tawakkalna app offers over 1,300 digital services in collaboration with more than 350 gover

  • Dates of Eid al-Adha and Day of Arafah in 2026

    Dates of Eid al-Adha and Day of Arafah in 2026

    EID AL-ADHA AND DAY OF ARAFAT DATES The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to observe the appearance of the crescent moon of the month of Dhul-Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026, corresponding to the 29th of Dhul-Qi'dah 1447 in the Hijri calendar. If the crescent is sighted on May 17, the month of Dhul-Hijjah will begin on Monday, May 18. The Day of Arafah will fall on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid al-Adha will occur on Wednesday, May 27. If the crescent is not sighted on Sunday, the month of Dhul-Qi'dah will be completed as a 30-day month, and Dhul-Hijjah will begin on Tuesday, May 19. In this case, the Day of Arafah will fall on Wednesday, May 27, and Eid al-Adha on Thursday, May 28. The Supreme Court also requested that anyone who sees the crescent with the naked eye or binoculars report it to the nearest court and

  • The Western Metro Station of Riyadh Opens for Passengers

    The Western Metro Station of Riyadh Opens for Passengers

    RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced that the Western Station of the Riyadh Metro will begin operations on Friday, marking the completion of the project’s four major iconic stations. The launch represents another milestone in Riyadh’s expanding public transport network and reinforces the capital’s transformation toward a more integrated and sustainable urban mobility system. The Western Station is the largest among the four iconic stations of the Riyadh Metro project, which also include King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, STC Al Olaya Metro Station.

  • Women in Saudi Arabia: Reforms and Development Opportunities

    Women in Saudi Arabia: Reforms and Development Opportunities

    TASHKENT — Assistant Speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s experience in supporting and empowering women during the second Asian Women’s Forum held in Uzbekistan.Speaking during the forum, Dr. Al-Ahmadi said the major transformations achieved by Saudi Arabia across various sectors came under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and with the support and follow-up of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, through making women’s empowerment a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.She said the Kingdom implemented broad leg

  • The Month of Dhul Hijjah: When the Pilgrimage Season Begins

    The Month of Dhul Hijjah: When the Pilgrimage Season Begins

    RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026.In a statement issued on Friday, the court urged anyone who sights the crescent with the naked eye or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register their testimony, or contact the nearest center for assistance in reaching the court.The announcement follows Supreme Court ruling No. 206/H dated 29/10/1447H, which declared Saturday, April 18, 2026, as the completion of the month of Shawwa

  • New Carpets in the Zul-Hulayfa Miqat Mosque for Pilgrims

    New Carpets in the Zul-Hulayfa Miqat Mosque for Pilgrims

    The installation of new carpets in the Zul-Hulayfa mosque has been completed. The Zul-Hulayfa miqat is where pilgrims arriving from Medina prepare and enter the state of ihram before heading to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah. 🌴 @SaudiaUAE