New Delhi, Apr 11: This year’s Hajj pilgrimage is getting impacted by the fragile and unpredictable security scenario in West Asia with many nations having issued advisory to their nationals to reconsider travel for the Hajj, which falls in May.
The US State Department has advised US citizens to reconsider travel for Hajj 2026, citing “intermittent travel disruptions” and the overall security situation following the recent war.
“Americans should reconsider participation in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca,” the advisory said, noting that the ceasefire remains highly unstable and that continuing instability could affect the safe conduct of the pilgrimage.
There are also doubts over whether Iranian pilgrims will be able to participate in the Hajj due to the widespread devastation and disruption caused by the 40-day conflict. Pilgrims from Iraq, Lebanon, and several other countries are also reconsidering the Hajj travel plans amid the uncertain regional situation.
Iran sends around 90,000 pilgrims each year forthe Hajj.
Prior to the conflict, Tehran had urged Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj quota, citing its population of more than 90 million.
But the conflict disrupted its Hajj plan.
However, Saudi Arabia has officially assured that the pilgrimage will proceed as planned. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has affirmed its readiness to host Hajj pilgrims for the 2026 (1447 Hijri) season, with preparations on track despite ongoing regional tensions in West Asia and safety concerns.
Saudi Arabia has reiterated its commitment to provide a safe and spiritual experience for millions of Muslims, emphasising that it will take all necessary measures to ensure the success of the pilgrimage, despite logistical and geopolitical challenges.
A total of 4717 pilgrims from J&K are scheduled for the 2026 Hajj.
The Iran war drives up pilgrimage costs for South-east Asian Muslims.
Travel markets are concerned that soaring fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty could make the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia significantly more expensive for millions of South-east Asian Muslims.
But Indian pilgrims will not be affected as the Central Haj Committee is expected to absorb the higher cost of the travel.Special Hajj flights are going to be operated from April 18.
Meanwhile, Consul General of India Fahad Ahmed Suri has announced extensive preparations for Hajj 2026, with nearly 175,000 Indian pilgrims expected to travel to Saudi Arabia this year.
He said that several steps have been taken to provide better facilities to the pilgrims.
All pilgrims in Madinah will stay in hotels near the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s Masjid in the Markazia area, while hotel style accommodation has been arranged at Makkah.
Around 122,518 pilgrims will travel through the Hajj Committee of India, including nearly 5400 women pilgrims travelling without Mahram, while another 52,507 pilgrims are expected through private tour operators.
The Haramain high-speed train service between Makkah and Madinah will now serve 61,000 pilgrims, up from 16,000 last year.
Mina and Arafat camps will feature improved cooling systems, sofa beds, green carpets, shaded walkways, luggage racks, and refrigerators.
Smartwatches linked to the Haj Suvidha App will help locate missing pilgrims and improve emergency response.
More than 200 administrative staff and 350 medical and paramedical personnel will be deployed to support Indian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
For the first time, a shorter Hajj package of 20-25 days has also been introduced, with more than 10,500 pilgrims opting for it.
Five airlines Air India Express, Akasa Air, Saudi Airlines, Flynas, and Flyadeal will operate Hajj flights between India and Saudi Arabia.
