Hajj begins in Saudi Arabia as pilgrims face regional war fears
Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the region remains unsettled by the Iran war. Saudi authorities said last week that 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom, a figure that is 11,000 higher than last year. The pilgrimage is taking place amid concerns about renewed conflict, air traffic disruption and higher travel costs.
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The row of pilgrims began the first day of Hajj in Mecca, where they gathered at the Grand Mosque and performed tawaf around the Kaaba. They then travelled to Mina, about 5km away, where they are due to spend the night in tents before moving on to Mount Arafat. The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and is required once in a lifetime for adult Muslims who are able to afford it and are physically able to make the journey.
Saudi officials have also highlighted security preparations around the holy sites. The defence ministry posted video showing air defence batteries on the outskirts of Mecca and said the air defence forces were responsible for protecting the skies over the holy sites and dealing with aerial threats. That message came after a three-month conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, which included missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month.
The pilgrimage is significant not only as a major religious gathering, but also because it takes place in a region where security concerns can quickly affect travel and public confidence. The Hajj draws millions of people from around the world and requires extensive coordination on transport, accommodation, crowd management and safety. This year, the combination of conflict fears and extreme heat has added to the pressure on pilgrims and organisers.
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The wider backdrop includes the March attack in which two civilians in al-Kharj were killed, along with a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base. That attack formed part of the exchange of strikes that preceded the ceasefire. Pilgrims interviewed at the Grand Mosque said they hoped for peace and described months of uncertainty before reaching Saudi Arabia.
What remains unclear is whether the ceasefire will hold and whether regional tensions could still affect the rest of the pilgrimage. The immediate focus will be on the movement of pilgrims from Mecca to Mina and then to Mount Arafat, where the next major rites will take place. Authorities will also be watching for any disruption linked to security, weather or transport as the Hajj continues.
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