The Latest Breaking News from Mecca

Israel asks Saudi Arabia to admit direct flights from Tel Aviv ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to the kingdom.

A million fully vaccinated Muslims from around the world have gathered in the holy city of Mecca for the five-day Hajj. It's a big increase in number since the pandemic upended the annual Saudi event in 2020. While foreign pilgrims have returned, a government-organised lottery system has put a squeeze…

Mecca's crowded streets provided Saudi merchant Dhikra Faqihi with much-needed relief as pilgrims returned to the annual haj after two years of pandemic-related disruption, with many rushing to buy her prayer beads and rugs.

International pilgrims will perform the annual ritual for first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

White-robed worshippers from around the world have packed the streets of Islam's holiest city ahead of the biggest Hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic began. Banners welcoming the faithful, including the first international visitors since 2019, adorned squares and alleys, while armed security forces patrolled the ancient city, birthplace of…

A terror attack survivor has a heavy heart before the trip of a lifetime

MECCA, Saudi Arabia: Thousands of pilgrims started arriving in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Friday, among some one million Muslims expected to attend the 2022 haj pilgrimage season after two years of major disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

The pilgrimage for Muslims known as Hajj runs over five days, but travel disruptions in Saudi Arabia meant worshippers may not be able to get to Mecca to complete their fifth pillar of Islam

One million pilgrims will convene in Mecca to perform Hajj this year followed by Eid al-Adha.