More than 1.5 million foreign Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage [1].
As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the Hajj is a mandatory religious obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey. The scale of the gathering represents one of the largest annual human migrations in the world, requiring massive logistical coordination by Saudi authorities.
Pilgrims have gathered in the holy city of Mecca and at Mount Arafat to perform essential rites [2]. The main rituals of the pilgrimage are scheduled to begin Monday, May 25, 2026 [3].
Saudi government officials are overseeing the arrival and movement of the crowds. A spokesperson for the Saudi government said, "More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj" [1].
Reporting from the site, a CNBC TV18 correspondent said officials confirmed more than 1.5 million pilgrims have gathered at Mount Arafat for the event [4]. The gathering at Mount Arafat is a central component of the Hajj, where worshippers spend a day in prayer and reflection.
While some previous reports indicated nearly 1.5 million arrivals, current figures from government sources confirm the number has exceeded that threshold [1]. The influx of worshippers continues as the window for the primary rituals opens this week.
“More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.”
The arrival of over 1.5 million international pilgrims underscores the enduring significance of the Hajj as a global religious event. The concentration of such a large population in Mecca and Mount Arafat places significant pressure on Saudi Arabia's infrastructure and public health systems, necessitating strict government oversight to ensure the safety of worshippers during the peak ritual days.
