Over 1.5 Million Pilgrims Arrive for Hajj Despite Regional War Tensions

Makkah —
More than 1,518,153 pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia have arrived to perform Hajj this year, surpassing last year’s figures despite significant disruptions caused by the ongoing regional conflict, Saudi authorities confirmed Saturday.
Saleh Al-Muraba, Commander of the Saudi Hajj Passport Force, told a press conference that arrivals are expected to increase further over the next two days as flights from various countries continue to land. The influx is expected to continue until Monday, when the rituals of Hajj formally begin.
The figures are particularly striking given the turbulence that preceded them. Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran retaliated with missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, severely disrupting air travel and driving up pilgrimage costs. Major Gulf carriers — including airlines from the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain — suspended or curtailed operations for several weeks before gradually restoring services as airspace reopened.
Yet the disruptions did little to dampen the resolve of the faithful. Muslims worldwide pressed on with their Hajj preparations, determined to fulfil one of Islam’s five pillars — an obligation incumbent on every able-bodied Muslim at least once in a lifetime.
Last year’s total stood at 1,506,576 international pilgrims, with the overall figure including Saudi nationals reaching 1,673,320. This year’s numbers are on course to exceed that milestone.