Thekabarnews.com—The Saudi Passport Force said the arrival of more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad this year to perform Hajj rituals was a sign of the massive size of one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.

The Commander of the Hajj Passport Force said that 1,518,153 international pilgrims entered Saudi Arabia before the Hajj season.

It underscores the ongoing recovery and growth of global pilgrimage participation. This comes after years of pandemic restrictions and disruptions to international travel.

In response to the influx of pilgrims from all over the world, Saudi authorities have intensified preparations at all airports, seaports, and land borders. Furthermore, they have increased readiness at transport systems and health facilities.

In the coming days, millions of Muslims will flock to Makkah and its holy sites. They will perform the sacred rituals of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.

The pilgrimage is a major spiritual obligation. Muslims must undertake it at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.

Saudi officials say they have increased the use of advanced digital systems and artificial intelligence technologies. In addition, they have expanded integrated security operations to help manage the large movement of pilgrims this year.

Officials are still rolling out smart monitoring systems, crowd-control technologies, and digital coordination platforms. These technologies aim to boost safety and ease congestion during the peak rituals.

The Saudi government continues to improve medical services and emergency preparedness. This step is important as officials anticipate dangerously high temperatures during the pilgrimage season.

The Saudi National Center for Meteorology had earlier warned that Hajj 2026 could see temperatures rise to 47 degrees Celsius.

Health authorities have therefore recommended that pilgrims drink plenty of water and carry umbrellas. They are also urged to avoid long exposure to the sun and follow official safety instructions.

For years Saudi Arabia has been upgrading the Hajj infrastructure as part of broader national development efforts. These efforts aim to improve the experience of pilgrims and the efficiency of operations.

This includes the expansion of transport networks and the upgrading of airports. Additionally, there is the enhancement of accommodation facilities, cooling systems, and smart crowd management technology.

The influx of over 1.5 million international pilgrims is also an economic boost for Saudi Arabia.

Religious tourism remains one of the kingdom’s largest non-oil economic sectors. It is also a key component of the country’s Vision 2030 diversification strategy.

Pilgrims pour in from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas through a range of international entry points. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities are managing one of the world’s biggest logistical operations.

Security personnel, healthcare workers, transportation staff, and thousands of volunteers work around the clock to support the pilgrimage season.

For Muslims all over the world, Hajj is much more than a great international event. It is a holy spiritual journey of worship, sacrifice, unity, and devotion.

Millions more are pouring into the holy city. Saudi Arabia is again the center of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

Stay connected via Google News