Nearly 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far for annual Hajj pilgrimage
Nearly 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far for annual Hajj pilgrimage
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Dozens of buses park as pilgrims walk to enter the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims line up in two rows, one for men and one for women, in front of a restaurant outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A man pushes a trolly full of Zamzam water bottles, drawn from the well beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca, at Zamzam bottle point in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims hold umbrellas to protect themselves from the sunny weather, as they offer Friday prayers outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A general view of the Grand Mosque is seen from the Clock Tower during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs at a shop near the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Members of the Saudi special forces, Special Force for Hajj and Umra (SFHU), warm up before a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi police officer monitors screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi police officers monitor screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Haj Security Committee, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Bassami speaks during the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Dozens of buses park as pilgrims walk to enter the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Dozens of buses park as pilgrims walk to enter the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy fruits outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims line up in two rows, one for men and one for women, in front of a restaurant outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims line up in two rows, one for men and one for women, in front of a restaurant outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A man pushes a trolly full of Zamzam water bottles, drawn from the well beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca, at Zamzam bottle point in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A man pushes a trolly full of Zamzam water bottles, drawn from the well beneath the Grand Mosque in Mecca, at Zamzam bottle point in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims hold umbrellas to protect themselves from the sunny weather, as they offer Friday prayers outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims hold umbrellas to protect themselves from the sunny weather, as they offer Friday prayers outside the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A general view of the Grand Mosque is seen from the Clock Tower during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A general view of the Grand Mosque is seen from the Clock Tower during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs at a shop near the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims buy souvenirs at a shop near the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
General view shows the mountains surrounding the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to welcome millions more pilgrims to Islam’s holiest sites. But as climate change heats up an already scorching region, the annual Hajj pilgrimage could prove even more daunting. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Muslim pilgrims pray in front of the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Members of the Saudi special forces, Special Force for Hajj and Umra (SFHU), warm up before a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Members of the Saudi special forces, Special Force for Hajj and Umra (SFHU), warm up before a military parade in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi police officer monitors screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi police officer monitors screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi police officers monitor screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi police officers monitor screens displaying the Grand Mosque, at the 911 monitoring center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi policewomen attend the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Haj Security Committee, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Bassami speaks during the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Haj Security Committee, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Bassami speaks during the Hajj security press conference at 911 headquarters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Muslim pilgrims are converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca for the largest hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslim pilgrims streamed into the holy city of Mecca on Friday ahead of the start of Hajj next week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale after three years of heavy restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far, the vast majority by air. More are expected, and hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them when the pilgrimage officially begins on Monday.
Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage.
On Friday, pilgrims thronged the Grand Mosque in Mecca to attend weekly communal prayers. Many then did a ritual circuit walking seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure inside the Grand Mosque that is Islam’s holiest site. On Thursday night, the vast marble court around the Kaaba was packed with the faithful, walking nearly shoulder to shoulder — in stark contrast to scenes two years ago at the height of the pandemic, when the sparse numbers kept far from each other in the nearly empty court as they walked the circuit.
Pilgrims do the circumambulation, known as “Tawaf” in Arabic, upon arriving in Mecca, and the large crowds circling the Kaaba will last into the Hajj’s first day.
Carrying umbrellas against the sun in temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit) on Friday, pilgrims walked for kilometers (miles) from bus lots into the Grand Mosque area in central Mecca, often jostling with barricades set up by security forces to direct the giant flows of people. Coming from all around the world, many pilgrims converged on nearby shops and malls to buy souvenirs.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. It is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
This year’s pilgrimage will be the first without the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer than 10,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj in 2020 and around 60,000 in 2021 — all of them residents of Saudi Arabia since pilgrims were forbidden to come from abroad. Last year, around 900,000 made the pilgrimage as Saudi Arabia allowed limited numbers of pilgrims from abroad.
The Saudi media ministry announced Thursday that more than 1.49 million foreign pilgrims had arrived through its international ports by Wednesday, with 1.43 million travelling by air.