Dressed in the traditional white Ihram garments, hundreds of thousands of Hajj pilgrims have gathered in Makkah from across the globe. Over 1.3 million pilgrims have already reached the holy city, with many arriving via Jeddah and others after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

As the pilgrims make their final preparations, they are set to head to Mina in three days, marking the beginning of their sacred Hajj journey. This year’s Hajj commences on Friday, Dhul Hijjah 8 (June 14), with the pilgrims moving to Mina. On Tarwiyyah Day, they will stay in the tent city overnight before proceeding to Arafat for the pinnacle of Hajj.

In a deeply spiritual atmosphere filled with prayers and supplications around the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, pilgrims are fully immersed in their faith. Saudi authorities and Hajj service providers have mobilized an integrated system of facilities and services to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience.

More than a million pilgrims attended the last Friday prayer before Hajj at the Grand Mosque on June 7, with worshippers overflowing into the courtyards and nearby streets in the Central Haram Area.

Pilgrims from nearly 180 countries, including those from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, have arrived in Makkah. The Mashariq Al-Masiyah Mutawafi Company confirmed the arrival of pilgrims from 16 countries, including Bangladesh, Sudan, Malaysia, and others. Additionally, the Non-Arab Africa pilgrims company welcomed groups from the USA, France, Italy, and Germany through the direct Hajj program.

Around 250,000 pilgrims from seven countries and 11 international airports have benefited from the Makkah Route Initiative, enabling them to complete immigration and travel procedures from their home countries before departure.

The Meeqat of Dhul-Hulaifah in Madinah has seen a large influx of pilgrims en route to Makkah for Umrah, with domestic pilgrims from across the Kingdom joining the foreign pilgrims in the coming days.

Lt. Gen. Muhammad Al-Bassami, director of Public Security and head of the Hajj Security Committee, affirmed that special forces are stationed at all entry points to Makkah and the Holy Sites to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering. The security forces are committed to maintaining the safety and security of the pilgrims, treating any breach of security with firmness.