Muslim Pilgrims depart Mecca after Hajj

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims on Friday began departing the holy city of Mecca after successfully completing the 2026 hajj pilgrimage under intense heat conditions and growing security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

More than 1.7 million worshippers from about 165 countries participated in this year’s hajj, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

The pilgrimage took place amid rising tensions in the region following the military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Since the war began in February, Iran has responded with several drone and missile attacks targeting infrastructure and energy facilities across Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, which hosts the holy city of Mecca.

More than 30,000 Iranians made the journey to Mecca, about a third of the 86,000 originally expected. Iran’s IRNA state news agency said the “wartime situation” explained the drop.

“I can’t believe I completed the hajj,” said Ahmed Mamdouh, a 37-year-old Egyptian who performed the pilgrimage for the first time.

Fighting back tears, he added: “I am very happy that I completed the rituals safely. Hajj is truly exhausting, especially in such hot weather.”

Algerian pilgrim Al-Zaoui, 74, wrapped his arm around his wife and said, “It was our dream to perform the Hajj together. Now that dream has come true after 50 years of marriage.”

On Friday, the faithful will complete the third day of a stoning ritual in the valley of Mina, southeast of Mecca, during which they throw pebbles at concrete pillars symbolising the devil.

The pilgrims then board buses to the Grand Mosque in Mecca to perform the farewell “tawaf” — walking seven times around the Kaaba, the giant black cube at the Grand Mosque that is the focal point of Islam.

The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so.

It involves a series of mostly outdoor rituals over several days and took place during intense heat this year.

After more than 1,300 people died during the 2024 hajj, when temperatures soared above 50C, Saudi authorities introduced heat-mitigation measures, including more shaded areas and thousands of extra health workers.

The Saudi Red Crescent said Thursday it had provided emergency services to “more than 83,000 people since the beginning of the hajj season”.

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