Hajj Reaches Its Peak as Saudi Arabia Receives More Than 1.5 Million Pilgrims

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 26, 2026

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Saudi Arabia has received more than 1.5 million pilgrims for Hajj 2026, as worshippers from around the world gathered on Tuesday, May 26, on Mount Arafat, the spiritual peak of the annual pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage is taking place amid intense heat and regional tensions, but the flow of pilgrims has continued, with Saudi authorities activating extensive security, transport, health, and crowd-management plans across Mecca and the holy sites.

According to Saudi Hajj Passport Forces figures cited by regional reports, 1,518,153 pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom by Friday, May 22. The number was expected to rise as more pilgrims continued arriving before the start of the main rituals. AP also reported that more than 1.5 million Muslims gathered for Hajj this week, with the rituals reaching their peak at Arafat on Tuesday.

Pilgrims are expected to move from Arafat to Muzdalifah, then to Mina to complete the remaining rituals during Eid al-Adha. Saudi officials have repeatedly urged pilgrims to follow official instructions, avoid unlicensed movement, and take precautions against heat and crowding.

This year’s Hajj carries added significance because it comes at a time of regional uncertainty, yet the scale of participation reflects the enduring importance of the pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide and the logistical weight of managing one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world.