NEWS DESK
MAKKAH/RIYADH
— Saudi Arabia has successfully concluded the 1447 AH (2026) Hajj season, delivering one of the largest and most technologically advanced pilgrimages in modern history while maintaining a disease-free environment for more than 1.7 million worshippers, according to SPA news.
The Kingdom’s authorities described this year’s pilgrimage as a milestone in crowd management, public health preparedness, and digital transformation, reflecting the continued modernization of services under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda.
According to official figures, 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj this year, including approximately 1.54 million international pilgrims arriving from across the world.
“The integration of advanced technologies, smart mobility systems, and comprehensive healthcare services ensured the safe and smooth movement of pilgrims throughout the holy sites,” Saudi authorities said.
Disease-Free Hajj Achieved
Saudi Arabia’s health sector recorded a major achievement by completing the Hajj season without any epidemic outbreaks despite ongoing global public health concerns.
Medical teams provided more than 2.5 million healthcare services during the pilgrimage. Authorities deployed medical robotics to assist in specialized surgical procedures, drones to deliver medicines, and wearable smart devices to monitor pilgrims with chronic illnesses and other health risks.
Health facilities carried out 410 complex surgeries, including 33 open-heart operations, during the season.
AI-Driven Crowd Management
Managing the movement of over 1.7 million pilgrims required a sophisticated security and transportation network supported by artificial intelligence.
The Kingdom utilized the AI-powered Sawaher platform, which analyzed crowd patterns through thousands of surveillance cameras and multiple predictive algorithms to facilitate safe movement across the holy sites.
Meanwhile, the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro transported more than two million passengers, significantly reducing dependence on road transport and eliminating the need for an estimated 50,000 bus journeys.
The multi-level Jamarat complex, capable of accommodating 300,000 pilgrims per hour, continued to serve as a central component of crowd management operations.
Infrastructure and Environmental Efforts
Saudi authorities undertook extensive logistical operations to support pilgrims throughout the season.
More than 712 million food and beverage items were secured across Makkah and the holy sites, while sanitation teams removed over 266,000 tons of waste through a workforce of approximately 22,000 personnel.
Environmental initiatives included the planting of 60,000 trees and the installation of 20,000 lighting units across the holy sites to improve comfort and safety.
Makkah Route Initiative Expands Efficiency
The Kingdom’s Makkah Route Initiative continued to streamline travel procedures for pilgrims arriving from participating countries.
A total of 388,694 pilgrims benefited from pre-clearance services in their home countries, with entry procedures reportedly completed in as little as 40 seconds through AI-supported mobile processing systems.
Humanitarian and Economic Engagement
Beyond Hajj operations, Saudi Arabia continued its regional humanitarian efforts, particularly in Yemen.
Through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the humanitarian agency King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the Kingdom announced assistance packages including fuel support and protection programs for displaced families.
Officials said a new joint initiative with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees would benefit more than 44,000 displaced and refugee individuals in Yemen.
The successful completion of Hajj 2026 highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, and advanced healthcare systems, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in managing large-scale religious gatherings while pursuing broader humanitarian and economic objectives.
The Hajj 2026 by by numbers:
1,707,301: The total number of pilgrims who performed Hajj in 1447 AH, including 1.54 million international arrivals.
388,694: The number of pilgrims pre-cleared in their home countries through the Makkah Route Initiative across 10 nations.
300,000: The hourly pilgrim capacity of the massive, five-story Jamarat facility.
2.5 Million: The total number of healthcare services provided to pilgrims by medical teams during the season.
40 Seconds: The record time taken to complete comprehensive entry procedures for each pilgrim under the Makkah Route Initiative using AI-powered mobile counters.
98%: The exceptional weather forecasting accuracy achieved by the National Center for Meteorology using AI and 21 automated stations.
266,000 Tons: The combined volume of waste removed from Makkah and the holy sites by 22,000 personnel.
410: The number of complex surgical procedures performed during Hajj, including 33 open-heart surgeries, supported by medical robotics.
20,000: The number of lighting units newly installed across 5,000 towers to illuminate Arafat.
60,000: The number of trees planted in the holy sites as part of a massive environmental cooling and shading initiative.
386: The number of escalators operating within the massive, 950-meter-long Jamarat facility to ensure smooth crowd flow.
1.9 Million: The number of Holy Quran copies, translated into 80 languages, gifted to departing pilgrims.
2,500: The number of international pilgrims hosted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.
44,722: The number of displaced and refugee individuals in Yemen benefiting from the new $3 million joint protection program signed by KSrelief and the UNHCR.