More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage reached its most sacred and emotional stage under intense desert heat.
From the early hours of Tuesday morning, worshippers dressed in white robes climbed the rocky hill known as Jabal al-Rahma, or the “Mount of Mercy,” near the holy city of Mecca. The site holds deep spiritual importance in Islam because it is believed to be where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon over 1,400 years ago.
Pilgrims recited verses from the Quran, prayed deeply, and reflected spiritually as temperatures pushed toward 40°C under the blazing desert sun. Volunteers distributed water, food packages, and umbrellas to help pilgrims cope with the harsh conditions, while helicopters monitored the area from above.
“It is an indescribable feeling,” said Ahmed Abu al-Ezz, a 35-year-old Egyptian engineer attending the pilgrimage for the first time.
This year’s Hajj comes during a tense period in the Middle East following the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Despite fears surrounding regional instability, Saudi officials confirmed that international pilgrim numbers were still higher than last year’s turnout.
More than 30,000 Iranian pilgrims made the journey this year, although that figure was significantly lower than the 86,000 initially expected. Iranian state media reportedly linked the reduction to wartime conditions and regional tensions.
Hajj remains one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it.
Saudi authorities have placed major focus on heat protection measures after more than 1,300 pilgrims reportedly died during the 2024 Hajj due to extreme temperatures exceeding 50°C. This year, officials expanded shaded areas, deployed over 50,000 healthcare workers, and stationed around 3,000 ambulances across pilgrimage sites to respond quickly to emergencies.
Health officials repeatedly urged pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the outdoor rituals.
After prayers on Mount Arafat, pilgrims are expected to travel to Muzdalifah, where they will spend the night and gather pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina.
The Hajj pilgrimage continues to stand as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings — a timeless river of faith flowing through the desert, generation after generation.
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