The number of World Hajj Pilgrims 2026 exceeds the 2025 figure despite the threat of war

JAKARTA - More than 1.5 million prospective pilgrims from abroad have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

A Saudi official revealed that despite the war in the Middle East, the number of international prospective pilgrims for the 2026 period exceeded the previous year.

"The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153," said the commander of the Saudi Arabian Hajj Passport Force, Saleh Al-Murabba, at a press conference, quoted by AFP, Sunday, May 24.

The figure is expected to continue to increase until today, Sunday, May 24, as the crowds continue to arrive from abroad ahead of the official activities that mark the start of the Hajj on Monday.

Last year, the total number of pilgrims worldwide reached 1,673,320, including 1,506,576 from outside Saudi Arabia.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims who are able. However, in 2026, the implementation of the Hajj is overshadowed by war in the Middle East.

The war was triggered by a massive attack by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran on February 28, 2026, resulting in Iran's retaliatory action against a number of areas in the Middle East that are home to US military assets and infrastructure, including Saudi Arabia, which caused widespread air traffic disruptions and a surge in travel costs.

Major airlines in the Middle East region, such as those from the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, have sought to restore most of their operational capacity after weeks of airspace closures and flight cancellations due to the war.

Despite the conflict, pilgrims continue to flock to Saudi Arabia to take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage.