Hajj

Saudi Arabia lifts limits on Hajj pilgrims three years after pandemic

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al Rabiah says all Hajj pilgrims are now welcome to Islam's holiest cities of Mecca and Medina this year after numbers were drastically curtailed in 2020 due to Covid-19.

Robots assist the faithful: How Saudi harnesses the power of AI in Mecca

Saudi Arabia is investing in Artificial Intelligence, setting up robots with touchscreens to help pilgrims navigate the Hajj process, learn about weekly schedules at mosques, as well as provide religious edicts.

Here’s why the future of Hajj hinges on technology

On the heels of a pandemic that saw Hajj access curtailed, demand for the pilgrimage has never been higher, bringing with it the pressure to safely and efficiently accommodate millions.

Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat for climax of biggest Covid-era Hajj

This year's pilgrimage marks the largest since the virus struck, although the attendance by 1 million worshippers remains less than half of the pre-pandemic influx.

One million Muslims begin initial Hajj rites in Mecca

Muslims begin the first day of rites at Islam's holiest site as the Hajj pilgrimage reaches attendance numbers nearing pre-pandemic years.

Muslim pilgrims begin largest Hajj since Covid pandemic

One million fully vaccinated Muslims are set to take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage, the largest number since the start of the pandemic.

In pictures: Pilgrims flock to Mecca for biggest Hajj since pandemic

Saudi Arabia will welcome one million people, including 850,000 from abroad, for the Hajj pilgrimage after two years of curtailed numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saudi welcomes first foreign Hajj pilgrims since before pandemic

A group from Indonesia landed in the city of Medina and was set to travel south to the holy city of Mecca in the coming weeks to prepare for the Hajj next month.

Saudi Arabia raises Hajj pilgrim cap, relaxes Covid restrictions

Riyadh has expanded the Islamic pilgrimage number in the country to one million compared to last year's 60,000 domestic participants.

Turkiye: Visiting Kaaba in metaverse is not real Hajj

Turkiye's Directorate of Religious Affairs says that although the metaverse visit of the Kaaba can be performed, it will "never be considered a real worship."

​The film ‘Dune’, techno-Orientalism, and intergalactic Islam

The latest film adaptation of the Sixties novel helps us understand the contemporary Middle East and its ecology.

Pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat in high point of this year's Hajj

Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, have been selected to take part in this year's Hajj, with foreign pilgrims again barred due to the restrictions over coronavirus pandemic.