More than 1.5 million Muslims have begun gathering in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, arriving in a vast tent city in Mina as the rites unfold against a backdrop of regional tensions and hopes for an end to conflict in the Middle East.
Pilgrims, dressed in white garments symbolising unity, travelled by bus or on foot to the sprawling encampment after performing Tawaf, the ritual of circling the Kaaba seven times at Mecca’s Grand Mosque. The Kaaba, a black cube structure at the centre of the mosque, is the holiest site in Islam.
The pilgrimage this year comes amid geopolitical uncertainty, including mixed signals from United States President Donald Trump over a possible agreement to extend an uneasy ceasefire with Iran and discussions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The broader regional context includes recent Iranian attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states.
Saudi officials have sought to separate the pilgrimage from regional conflict, even as tensions persist. They said more international pilgrims had arrived this year than in 2025, despite concerns over security and instability in parts of the region.
A video shared by the Saudi defence ministry showed air defence systems deployed on the outskirts of Mecca. Officials said the forces were tasked with protecting the holy sites from any aerial threats and ensuring the safety of pilgrims.
In Mina, pilgrims continued to arrive ahead of the key rituals. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by Muslims who are physically and financially able.
Men wear seamless white garments, while women wear loose clothing covering the body, leaving only the face and hands exposed, a practice intended to emphasise equality among worshippers.
After Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa’i, walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, before moving on to Mina, around five kilometres away, in preparation for the central rites at Mount Arafat.
The climax of the pilgrimage will take place on Tuesday, when worshippers gather at Mount Arafat, around 10 kilometres from Mina, where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
The pilgrimage is also taking place under extreme heat conditions, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40C throughout the week.
Despite the heat and uncertainty, many pilgrims described a deep sense of fulfilment. Mohammed Chahada, an Egyptian pilgrim in his 50s, said: “The war in Iran has affected the entire world. Nobody wants wars or harm to countries and peoples.”
Another pilgrim, Jreish Mohammed, a 68-year-old from Morocco, said he had waited decades for the moment. “I have wanted to perform the pilgrimage my entire life, for 40 or 50 years,” he said. “And this year, my dream came true.”
