Saudi Arabia is Ready for Hajj: Millions of Pilgrims Head to Mina
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced its full readiness for the start of the pilgrimage. More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims and hundreds of thousands of local believers are preparing for the main Islamic ritual.
Large-scale Mobilization for the Pilgrimage
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed the completion of all preparatory and operational work for organizing the transportation of pilgrims to the tent city of Mina. Starting Monday, the main rituals of the pilgrimage will begin, attracting believers from around the world. More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom, and they will be joined by hundreds of thousands of local pilgrims. All participants will follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, reciting the Talbiyah and glorifying the Almighty on their way to the holy city.
Integrated System for Managing Pilgrim Flows
The Ministry has implemented a comprehensive system for organizing the movement of pilgrims to their tents, with monitoring of service quality at the holy sites. Coordination is being carried out with all relevant authorities. The main areas of work include controlling the movement of pilgrims from their residences in Mecca, ensuring unhindered access to the camps, providing informational and educational services, and assisting with accommodation according to the approved plans for the 2026 season. All operations are synchronized with the Crowd Management Center, the Monitoring and Control Center, and the Compliance Center through constant tracking of movement and service indicators.
Preparation of Infrastructure and Services
In Mina, the preparation of all necessary infrastructure has been completed: accommodation, food, and transportation for pilgrims. Field monitoring measures have been strengthened to promptly identify and resolve any issues. Since the beginning of the month of Muharram, the ministry has conducted over 83,000 inspection visits and checks of various service facilities in coordination with the relevant authorities. Field teams are equipped with the necessary information to address any challenges that may affect the smooth movement of pilgrims or the quality of services provided.
Technological Approach to Organizing the Holy Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia's modern approach to organizing Hajj demonstrates how technology and planning can harmoniously combine with spirituality. The real-time monitoring system allows for prompt responses to any unforeseen situations, ensuring the safety and comfort of all participants. Special attention is given to providing informational support to pilgrims at every stage of their journey, helping them focus on the spiritual aspects of the pilgrimage. This comprehensive approach creates conditions in which every believer can fully immerse themselves in the sacred experience of Hajj.
Questions and Answers
How many pilgrims are expected for Hajj in 2026?
More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived for Hajj, to which hundreds of thousands of local believers from Saudi Arabia will join. The total number of participants in the pilgrimage reaches several million people.
What main stages of preparation has Saudi Arabia completed?
The ministry has completed preparations for transportation, accommodation, food, and services for pilgrims. More than 83,000 inspection checks of facilities have been conducted. An integrated real-time monitoring and control system for the movement of pilgrims has been activated.
When do the main rituals of the pilgrimage begin?
The main rituals of Hajj begin on Monday with the Day of Tarwiyah, when pilgrims depart from Mecca to the tent city of Mina. This is the first and one of the most important stages of the entire pilgrimage, following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
