Hajj 2026 has started. This is the world’s largest religious and economic event, where worship, arrangements and economy are at their peak together. This time more than 15 lakh foreign Hajis have reached Saudi Arabia and the total number is estimated to cross 17 lakh. These include 1.75 lakh Hajis from India, which is a history in itself. On May 26, when crores of hands will rise for prayer in the 45 degree heat on the grounds of Arafat, it will be a sight not only of worship but also of an arrangement whose example cannot be found anywhere else. This explainer is about every aspect of Hajj 2026, which will surprise you…

How many lakh Muslims will perform Haj this year?

Despite the ongoing tension in West Asia and the Iran war, about 17 lakh pilgrims are expected to participate in Haj this year. This is a figure which seems to be leaving behind even last year’s figures. A total of 16,73,230 people performed Haj in 2025, including 15,06,576 foreigners and 1,66,654 domestic (Saudi citizens and expatriates).

More than 15 lakh foreign pilgrims and flood of local applications from Saudi Arabia

Hajj Passport Forces Commander Saleh Al-Murabba told a press conference on 23 May 2026 that 15,18,153 foreign Hajis have reached Saudi Arabia so far. This figure has exceeded the number of foreign pilgrims of last year and this trend is still continuing.

At the same time, there was tremendous enthusiasm for the domestic Hajis of Saudi Arabia this year. 5,58,270 applications were filed, of which 59% were from men and 41% from women. Of these, 3% of the applicants were youth below 20 years of age. That means, every person of every age is ready to say no to this call.

Long list of countries performing Hajj together

People from more than 180 countries of the world are performing Hajj this year. To make this easier, Saudi Arabia has started a special initiative named ‘Makkah Route Initiative’. Under this, so far 3,88,694 Hajis have been provided special immigration and logistics facilities from 17 airports in 10 countries. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Maldives, Turkey, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia and Algeria are included in this initiative.

Participation of men and women: equal participation in worship

Official figures for 2025 show that out of 16,73,230 people who performed Haj, 8,77,841 were men and 7,95,389 were women. This means that about 47% of the total Hajis were women. The same ratio is expected to remain this year also. This time 5,446 women from India are going to perform Haj without Mehram (without male guardian), which is the largest number so far after the relaxation in rules.

Which countries have the highest number of Hajis?

According to the Haj quota of 2026, the five countries in the world which have got the highest quota are:

rank	Country	Haji quota (2026)
1	Indonesia	2,21,000
2	Pakistan	1,80,000
3	India	1,75,025
4	bangladesh	1,27,198
5	iran	87,000

Where is the important pillar of Hajj performed?

The four pillars of Hajj are – Ihram, staying in Arafat (Waqf-e-Arafa), Tawaf-e-Ifada, and Sa’i. The most important among these is Arafat’s Waqf (stay). Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith no. It is written in 1949 that ‘Al-Hajju Arafa’ means Hajj Arafat.

The Plain of Arafat, also known as ‘Jabal al-Rahma’ (Mountain of Rahmat), is located about 20 kilometers south-east of Mecca. Hajj in 2026 has started on 25th May and the Day of Arafat (9th Zilhajj) will be on 26th May 2026. On this day, all the pilgrims stay here from Zuhr to Maghrib, this is considered the soul of Hajj. There are 4 big reasons why Arafat is the most important leader:

1. This is the purpose of Hajj: Hajj itself means ‘to intend’ or ‘to move towards’. The plain of Arafat is the place where direct communication is established between Allah and his followers. The remaining three Arkans are also important, but Arafat is the climax of Hajj.
2. No Hajj without this: Hajj can be completed by paying Kaffara (fine) if one of the other Arkan is omitted, but Hajj is not valid without staying in Arafat. If a pilgrim does not attend Arafat before sunset, his entire Hajj is considered void.
3. The greatest revelation of Allah’s mercy: On the day of Arafa, Allah sends down His greatest mercy. It is mentioned in the Hadith that on this day Allah says to the angels about the pilgrims, ‘Look, these are My servants. I have forgiven them.
4. This is the day of surrender and equality: From millionaires to fakirs, from kings to common people, everyone stands in the same field wearing two unstitched white clothes and prays to their Lord. There is no greater example of unity and dedication than this in any corner of the world.

That is why it is said that whoever understood Arafat, understood Hajj.

How much does an Indian Haji cost?

The government package for Haj Committee of India (HCoI) in 2026 ranges between Rs 3.36 lakh to Rs 4.19 lakh, depending on different cities. However, due to tensions in West Asia, air fares have increased by an additional Rs 10,000 per person, forcing many Hajis to deposit additional money at the last minute.

Whereas, if we talk about private packages, they are much more expensive. According to a private operator in Delhi, private Haj packages can go up to Rs 10 lakh. Typically, economy private packages start from Rs 4.85 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh, while VIP packages go even higher. Premium packages from foreign countries (like America or Britain) go above $15,000 (about Rs 12.5 lakh).

How much is spent on Hajj and how much income does Saudi Arabia earn?

Hajj and Umrah together are the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s economy. These two religious pilgrimages together generate an income of about 12 billion dollars (about Rs 1 lakh crore) every year. This is 20% of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and 7% of total GDP.

Talking only about this year’s Hajj, according to Maher Jamal, head of the Mecca Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the total expenditure of the Hajis is estimated to be 20 to 25 billion Saudi Riyals (5.3 to 6.7 billion dollars), which is 70% more than last year.

The effect of the current international situation and rising inflation is now clearly visible from the lives of common people to religious pilgrimages. This year, the pilgrims going on Haj pilgrimage have suffered a big financial blow. Due to America-Israel’s war with Iran, the cost of Haj pilgrimage has increased even more than before.

According to a report released by Semaphore on Wednesday (May 20), due to reduced capacity of flights across the Persian Gulf and disruption in supply routes, prices of travel packages have increased by three or four times even before the start of the journey. Let us tell you that in view of this annual journey to Mecca, the governments of many countries including Indonesia, Pakistan and Malaysia have started subsidy schemes to help in reducing the increased expenses for the pilgrims.

How much has the cost of Hajj increased?
Talking about the per capita expenditure for Haj pilgrimage in the last 3 years, the average per capita expenditure in 2023 was Rs 3.25 lakh, which increased to Rs 3.35 lakh in 2024. The average per capita expenditure in 2025 was Rs 3.40 lakh and now in the year 2026 it has increased to more than Rs 3.74 lakh.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, as the nodal ministry for Haj in India, has made extensive arrangements for Haj pilgrims in coordination with the Haj Committee of India, other Central Ministries, State Governments and Saudi authorities. The aim of these efforts is to ensure smooth logistics arrangements and better facilities at the ground level for Haj pilgrims.

When will Hajj pilgrimage start?
Haj pilgrimage of 2026 from India is going to start from 18th April. The first batch of Haj pilgrims will leave for Saudi Arabia from many places across the country. The Modi government at the Center has also ensured insurance coverage of approximately Rs 6,25,000 for each Haj pilgrim, which will strengthen financial and health security during the Haj pilgrimage.

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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has started a new initiative keeping in mind the convenience of the pilgrims. Under this initiative, many special offers and discounts will be given to the pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah through Nusuk Card. Its purpose is to reduce their hassles during travel and make the experience more comfortable.

What is Nusuk Card and why is it important?
Nusuk Card is an official identity card, which is required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as well as people working in the Hajj system. It is mandatory to carry it with you at all times from reaching Saudi Arabia till returning. This card facilitates entry into holy places and movement during travel.

Facilities will be available in many sectors
Under this new initiative, cardholders will get special discounts and offers in many areas like shopping, transport, catering, hotels, healthcare and entertainment. With this, passengers will be able to get better services at lower prices. Information about all these offers and services will be given on the Nusuk platform.

Efforts to improve passenger experience
The ministry says that the main objective of this scheme is to make services more accessible and to provide more comfort to the passengers during Hajj and Umrah. Through this, the quality of service will also be improved, so that every passenger can get a smooth and safe experience.

Private sector cooperation
Chamber of Commerce also plays an important role in this initiative, which is acting as a link between the Ministry and private companies. With their help, more and more businesses are joining this scheme, so that passengers can get more options and facilities.

Security along with discount
Nusuk Card is not limited to just giving discounts, but it is also an important document. Through this, the identity of the travelers is ensured and they get security while entering and traveling to the holy places.

One card, many benefits
This initiative is being considered a big change for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. By combining many things like identity, convenience and discounts in a single card, the Saudi Arabian government is trying to make the travel of travelers easier, safer and more convenient.

Hajj 2026: Mecca has great spiritual importance for Muslims around the world. Being the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the location of Kaaba, the most important site of Islam, this place is also the center of Islamic faith. Every year pilgrims travel for Hajj and Umrah. Now registrations for these have started in Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that Saudi citizens and expatriates with valid residence permits can now start selecting and booking Hajj packages through the Nusuq platform, the Kingdom’s official digital portal for pilgrimage services.

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Booking through Nusuk platform

Domestic pilgrims who have already registered their details can now review the available packages and easily make their bookings through the Nusuk mobile application or official website. According to the ministry, all the processes are being conducted electronically.

Now applicants can easily view the different package options and choose their favorite package and also generate the booking bill.
After this they can make payment through Saudi Arabia’s SADAD electronic payment system.

Keeping in mind the increasing demand, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah has implemented strict payment rules. Pilgrims will have to make payment within 72 hours of issuance of booking invoice. These rules will remain in force till 14th May i.e. 27th May.

Importance of Hajj in Islam?

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a mandatory duty to be performed once in a lifetime by all capable Muslims. Held annually in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the Hajj is an intense spiritual journey attended by millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world.

This pilgrimage consists of several sacred rituals lasting 5 days, including Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), Sa’i (walk between Safa and Marwa hills) and praying on Mount Arafat.

The pilgrimage is physically demanding, with pilgrims walking up to 25 kilometers a day. For this reason, special rules apply for people aged 65 years and above. It is very important to have a healthy partner with them, whose age should be between 18 to 60 years.

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Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry has announced that the process of issuing visas for the 2026 Hajj season will start from February 8. This announcement has been made as part of the operational calendar of Haj related offices. This is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah aimed at improving preparations before the arrival of Hajis.

Preparations for the 2026 session began on June 8, 2025, when the ministry issued preliminary planning documents to Hajj affairs offices around the world. At the beginning of the month of Safar, these offices were given information related to camps at holy sites through the digital Nusk Masar platform, so that additional time could be given for planning and review.

When will visas be issued?
According to the Gulf News report, contracts were signed in January 2026 for transportation and services at the holy sites in addition to accommodation in Mecca and Medina. The process of issuing visas will formally begin from February 8, after which visas will be finalized in March and data related to pre-arrival preparations of Hajis will be collected.

When will the first batch of Hajis reach Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry said that the first group of pilgrims is expected to reach Saudi Arabia from April 18, 2026. The Ministry has directed to strictly adhere to the announced timelines to ensure complete preparation of infrastructure and services before the arrival of the pilgrims.

The ministry said that contracts related to all services at the holy sites for pilgrims coming from abroad have been finalized, as well as accommodation agreements in Mecca through the Nusq platform. About 750,000 pilgrims have registered so far, of which 30,000 have booked packages directly from their countries.

About 485 camps have been allotted for international pilgrims at the holy sites, while 73 Hajj Affairs Offices have completed their basic requirements.

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Saudi Arabia Grand Mufti: Saudi Arabia has once again made a big religious announcement. Following the royal decree of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sheikh Saleh Al Fauzan has been appointed as the new Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. This position is one of the most influential positions in Saudi society. Let us know what facilities and powers come with this post.

Power and prestige of the Grand Mufti

The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia is not just a religious leader, but he is the highest authority of Islamic law in the country. This position is placed at the top of the religious and legal hierarchy and is given a lot of respect due to its direct connection with the royal family. The Grand Mufti serves as the country’s leading religious voice, providing guidance to citizens, institutions, and even the nation on matters of faith and law.

What facilities and special rights does the Grand Mufti get?

Although the Saudi government does not publicly disclose the benefits associated with the post of Grand Mufti and there is no mention of what his salary is, yet some special rights explain the importance of this role.

The Grand Mufti is given an official government residence which is commensurate with his position and helps him carry out official duties. Along with this, they are also given high level state security. Not only this but they are given full logistics and administrative support along with assistance in staffing, transportation and official travel. At the same time, the most important thing is that the Grand Mufti has direct access to the highest levels of power along with the King and the Crown Prince.

Responsibilities of Grand Mufti

The primary function of the Grand Mufti is to issue fatwas. Fatwas that explain Islamic law on matters ranging from personal behavior to government policies. Through these fatwas, both citizens and officials get guidance in following Islamic principles. Along with this, the Grand Mufti is also the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, the most powerful religious body of Saudi Arabia. Along with this, he also leads the standing committee for Islamic research and issuing fatwas.

Another important function of the Grand Mufti is to support the Saudi leadership by providing religious legitimacy to royal policies. Their support often helps shape public opinion as well as maintain harmony between the religious establishment and the monarchy. Along with this, the Grand Mufti often gives religious guidance to the public. They participate in programs promoting Islamic education and awareness. His instructions are greatly influenced during Hajj.

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Qatar’s Ministry of Entry and Islamic Affairs (Avakaf) has announced that registrations for Haj 1447 Hijri (2026) will be open from 1 October to 31 October 2025. This process will only be through online portal Hajj.gov.QA. The new system is designed according to the time limit of Saudi Arabia so that pilgrims can get better experience. This year Qatar has been given a quota of 4,400 pilgrims.

This year, eligibility conditions for Haj registration are more strict than before. The minimum age has been fixed at 18 years for Katri citizens and they can register a maximum of three guides per person. The minimum age for long -standing residents in Qatar is 45 years. They should never have performed Haj before and at least 15 years of continuous residence in Qatar. Only one guide registration will be allowed in this category.

New requirements
Health and financial criteria have also been added from this year. Every applicant will have to get a medical fitness certificate from a primary health center in Qatar. Apart from this, it is necessary to deposit 10,000 Qatari Riyal as security deposits while registering. This money will be used for Haj expenses and can be returned when needed.

Digital process and online services
The Ministry of Avakaf has introduced several digital services to make registration easier. The new video of the Ministry explains the registration, Haj operator selection, contract and the process of online payment. This video will be available on the social media platforms of the ministry. Now the payment system has also been upgraded, so that the pilgrims will be able to pay online according to the package of their chosen Haj operators. This year 27 authorized Haj operators will provide services. For any problem or complaint, pilgrims can contact the Haj Department directly or call on helpline number 132.

Selection process and final list
The last date for registration will be 31 October 2025. After this the electronic pruning process will be started. The list of successful applicants will be released in mid -November 2025. Official approval information will be sent to the selected pilgrims. This process gives adequate preparation time to recognized Haj operators, so that pilgrims can get better services and facilities.

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Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presided over the Haj review meeting on Friday (July 4, 2025). During this time, Haj 2025 was described as one of the most successful Haj pilgrimage. He said that we have started preparations for Haj 2026 from today.

Talking to the media on Friday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, ‘We have officially started preparations for Haj 2026 from today. I am happy to say that Haj 2025 can be considered one of the best ways in recent history and one of the most successful Haj trips. I request people to fill their applications on time, so that they do not have to face any kind of trouble in future.

He further said, ‘Many incidents have been seen during the Haj pilgrimage last year and before, due to which many people have died. This time 64 people have died and last year this figure was above 200. This time 64 people who have died have different reasons.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also said, ‘The process of application of 2026 Haj will start a week later. I would appeal that all the pilgrim passengers going on Haj should apply in time.

Kiren Rijiju targeted the Congress. He said, ‘Congress party and some other parties scare the minorities and try to mislead them. The facility that minorities get in India do not get the same facility in any other country of the world. Despite this, efforts are being made by the opposition to take political advantage in our country. The work done by the Congress party and other parties to make minorities a vote bank in the last 75 years should now be closed. The biggest loss is to Muslims, while the Congress party takes advantage. The Congress party worked to make Muslims poor. Now they do politics on Muslims.

Hajj yatra rules: Haj pilgrimage is very high in the religion of Islam. One of the five basic pillars of Islam is Haj pilgrimage. Millions of crores of Muslims from all over the world go to Saudi Arabia every year for this sacred Haj pilgrimage. This journey religiously has great importance for all people of Muslim religion.

People visiting here also have to complete many rules and procedures. So if you too are thinking of going on Haj pilgrimage. So it is very important to know about the rules first. Otherwise you may get in trouble. Let us tell you which are these rules about these rules.

Do not take these things together

As we told you earlier, Haj pilgrimage is a very sacred journey. And during this journey, carrying something with it that can unholy the journey cannot be taken along. If anyone takes it. So such passengers may have to face trouble. Let us tell you that the passengers who travel Haj have been specially instructed that they should not take anything like bidi, cigarette tobacco with them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsmt1eixl0

If this thing is found near a passenger. So not only such passengers are being stopped by the government of Saudi Arabia for hours, but they are also being fined. In fact, many Haj pilgrims have been found to be tobacco products. That is why especially the Uttar Pradesh government has issued this instruction for the people of its state.

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Take special care of these rules

Let me tell you that during the Haj pilgrimage you have to follow some religious rules. If you ignore these rules. Then you can take action on behalf of the local administration, if a man goes for Haj pilgrimage. So it is mandatory for him to wear Ihram i.e. white clothes.

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While the rule of wearing plain clothes has been implemented for women. If you have a pornographic material found during the journey or something like alcohol and hemp is found. So it is considered a serious crime. By doing this you can also be arrested.

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