Saudi Arabia has announced full readiness for Hajj 2026 as more than 860,000 pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom through air, land, and sea routes. Officials said extensive preparations have been completed to ensure the safety, comfort, and smooth movement of millions of worshippers expected during the annual pilgrimage.
During a joint press conference, five Saudi ministers shared details about the latest upgrades introduced for this year’s Hajj operations. One of the major improvements includes the use of artificial intelligence for crowd management and monitoring in key religious areas. Authorities have also confirmed complete 5G network coverage in Makkah, Madinah, and other holy sites to improve communication services for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia has further expanded its “Makkah Route” initiative, which allows pilgrims from selected countries to complete immigration procedures before departing for the Kingdom. Another new facility, called “Pilgrim Without a Bag,” has reduced luggage processing time from 120 minutes to only 15 minutes, helping pilgrims move faster through airports.
To strengthen healthcare and emergency services, more than 52,000 medical professionals, 3,000 ambulances, and thousands of hospital beds have been arranged across Hajj sites. In addition, nearly 88,000 sanitation workers have been deployed to maintain cleanliness.
Saudi officials also dismissed concerns about possible epidemics, stating that the Kingdom has years of experience in managing one of the world’s largest religious gatherings safely and efficiently.
