In 2019, more than 1.8 million foreigners performed the Hajj pilgrimage. This year, Saudi Arabia barred Muslims living abroad from taking part due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Muslim pilgrims
Coronavirus Pandemic
In pictures: Hajj pilgrims arrive in Makkah
This year’s hajj will be held under strict hygiene protocols, with access limited to pilgrims under 65 years old and without any chronic illnesses.
coronavirus
Video: How will coronavirus impact Hajj?
Saudi Arabia took quick action to curb the coronavirus outbreak in mid-March, but now its health minister warns that the number of infected could soon rise to 200,000. So will the annual Hajj pilgrimage still go ahead in late July?
Accident
35 foreign pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash
Accident involved a collision between ‘a private chartered bus… with a heavy vehicle (loader)’ near Medina
Google
Translation error leads to ‘anthrax’ scare in Saudi Arabia
The mistake saw pilgrims being given bags marked ‘anthrax’ ahead of the ‘stoning of the devil’ portion of their Hajj pilgrimage
Hajj metro
Over 50,000 Hajj pilgrims use Haramain High Speed Railway
Each train carried double the amount of passengers as it would during normal operations
Five Pillars of Islam
Gallery: Millions gathered to Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform Tawaf
Nearly 2.5 million pilgrims flocked at the Grand mosque for final prayers on Tuesday to perform Tawaf, a seven-round circumambulation around Kaaba at the end of their Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.
Hajj pilgrims
Gallery: Pilgrims arrived in the Islamic holy city of Makkah for Hajj rituals
Muslims from across the world gather in Makkah in Saudi Arabia for the annual six-day pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, an act all Muslims must perform at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to travel to Saudi Arabia.
Five Pillars of Islam
Saudi Arabia prepares for annual hajj pilgrimage as Gulf tensions persist
This year’s hajj takes place amid tensions in the Gulf region exacerbated by a series of attacks on oil tankers, drone strikes and interceptions of maritime traffic on the high sea
Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia enlists 350,000 people to help Hajj pilgrims
A total of 1.65 million pilgrims had arrived in the kingdom by Monday
Hajj pilgrims
Gallery: Saudi holds parade of hajj security forces
Saudi security forces carried out a huge military parade displaying soldiers and other forces who will be responsible for the security of the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage.
Arafat Day
Gallery: Thousands of volunteers helping Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia is providing the best services to pilgrims and facilitate their movement between the holy sites during the performance of Hajj rituals.
Christchurch
Gallery: Christchurch victims arrived in Jeddah to perform Hajj
Saudi Arabia welcomes 200 pilgrims of the families of those killed and injured by the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, arrived at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Aviation
Saudi national carrier flies 17m passengers in H1
Saudi Arabian Airlines records 7% year on year growth in international passengers in June
Hajj pilgrims
Gallery: Annual Hajj pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia
The hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims must perform the hajj at least once in their lives, if able, and it marks the spiritual peak of their lives.
Airbus A380
Saudi, UAE airlines bolster fleets, flights as Hajj pilgrim numbers surge
Airlines around the Gulf have leased additional aircraft to meet the demands of growing number of pilgrims headed to Saudi Arabia’s cities
Ebola
No Saudi visas for Congo pilgrims amid Ebola fears
World Health Organisation has said Ebola outbreak is ‘public health emergency of international concern’