Despite Middle East war, foreign pilgrims flock to Mecca for Hajj

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on May 22, 2026. © Altaf Qadri, AP

Despite the war in the Middle East, foreign pilgrims have flocked to Mecca to participate in this year’s Hajj. According to officials, more than 1.5 million have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, surpassing last year’s numbers.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for the upcoming Hajj, according to a Saudi official, exceeding the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East.