Hajj 2026: A sacred journey in pictures

Muslim pilgrims perform evening prayers around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad for this year’s Hajj, according to Saudi authorities.

A Muslim pilgrim becomes emotional upon arriving at the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage.

Saleh bin Saad Al Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said the foreign pilgrim arrivals had surpassed 1.5 million. Many worshippers described a mix of gratitude and relief at being able to undertake the journey.

Muslim worshippers walk through the Grand Mosque complex beneath cooling water-mist fans in the holy city of Mecca ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

A group of pilgrims discuss the rituals of circumambulating the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

A Muslim pilgrim prays in front of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

A Muslim pilgrim records a live video while praying as worshippers circumambulate the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

As temperatures soar, pilgrims have been performing rituals in intense heat, circling the Kaaba in Mecca’s Grand Mosque while using umbrellas, fans and water sprays to cope.

A Muslim pilgrim feeds pigeons outside the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,

A Muslim pilgrim reacts as a volunteer sprays water to help cool worshippers outside the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.

Female Muslim worshippers take photographs as they arrive at the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, within the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Mecca.