Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Begin Hajj Amid Iran Tensions, Saudi Arabia Deploys Air Defence Near Mecca

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 12:07 IST

More than 1.5 million Muslims have gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid ongoing Middle East tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage has begun in Saudi Arabia with more than 1.5 million Muslims from across the world arriving in Mecca, even as the Middle East remains gripped by tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Pilgrims have continued to travel to the kingdom despite uncertainty triggered by the conflict and fears of a regional escalation.

According to a BBC report, Saudi authorities have also visibly strengthened security around the holy sites amid concerns over aerial threats.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious obligation that every Muslim who is physically and financially capable must perform at least once in their lifetime.

Pilgrims have begun performing rituals in and around Mecca under intense desert heat, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in recent days.

Though more than 1.5 million pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia have already entered the kingdom for this year’s pilgrimage, Saudi authorities said the turnout was even higher than last year despite the ongoing tensions in the region.

AFP reported that the conflict had cast a shadow across the Middle East after waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks targeted Gulf infrastructure, including sites in Saudi Arabia.

The BBC reported that before the ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched attacks on Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf countries in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes.

The report also noted that two civilians were killed in an Iranian attack on March 8 near Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the tensions, pilgrims continued arriving in Mecca, many expressing relief and gratitude that they were finally able to undertake the sacred journey after months of uncertainty, air travel disruptions and rising costs.

AFP quoted Egyptian pilgrim Mohammed Chahada as saying, “The war in Iran has affected the entire world. Nobody wants wars or harm to countries and peoples."

Another pilgrim, 68-year-old Moroccan Jreish Mohammed, told AFP that he had waited decades for the opportunity to perform Hajj.

“I have wanted to perform the pilgrimage my entire life, for 40 or 50 years. And this year, my dream came true," he said.

SECURITY MEASURES INTENSIFIED

The BBC reported that Saudi Arabia has heightened security arrangements around the holy city of Mecca amid fears of renewed attacks.

According to the report, the Saudi defence ministry released a video showing advanced air defence batteries positioned on the outskirts of Mecca.

“The air defence forces are responsible for protecting the skies over the holy sites and dealing with all aerial threats, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of the guests," the ministry said in a social media post quoted by the BBC.

AFP similarly reported that Saudi officials were keen to keep the conflict far from the minds of pilgrims while simultaneously signalling readiness for any escalation.

The regional conflict has also affected participation from Iran.

AFP reported that more than 30,000 Iranians made the pilgrimage this year, significantly lower than the 86,000 originally expected.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reportedly attributed the decline to the “wartime situation".

PILGRIMS BRAVE EXTREME HEAT

Pilgrims have also had to contend with punishing weather conditions during the rituals. According to multiple reports, temperatures in Mecca and surrounding areas have hovered between 44 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly advised pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use umbrellas while performing outdoor rituals.

Since male pilgrims are prohibited from covering their heads, many were seen carrying umbrellas and handheld fans while volunteers distributed water bottles and mist sprays.

The first day of Hajj included the “tawaf", during which pilgrims walk seven times around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

After completing the ritual, pilgrims moved to Mina, the sprawling tent city located several kilometres away from Mecca.

AP quoted political scientist Youssef Chouhoud, who was among the pilgrims in Mina, as describing the pilgrimage as a transformative experience.

“This Hajj is, in effect, a hard reset for me," he said, adding that he hoped to emerge from the journey with “a new sense of purpose".

“It is for many pilgrims the most difficult thing they will ever do in their lives. But nothing this meaningful is ever going to be easy," he said.

MOUNT ARAFAT MARKS CLIMAX OF HAJJ

AFP reported that huge numbers of pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat on Tuesday, considered the spiritual climax of the pilgrimage.

Thousands dressed in white robes recited Quranic verses and prayed on the rocky hill where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon around 1,400 years ago.

Following the prayers at Arafat, pilgrims are expected to travel to Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina.

AP reported that many pilgrims carried prayer requests from loved ones and prayed with tears streaming down their faces during the emotionally charged rituals.

The Hajj annually brings together Muslims from different nationalities, races, languages and economic backgrounds, creating a strong sense of unity and shared faith despite the political and geopolitical turmoil unfolding across the wider region.

News world Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Begin Hajj Amid Iran Tensions, Saudi Arabia Deploys Air Defence Near Mecca

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