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Mecca

A Muslim pilgrim drinks water as he walks towards the Grand Mosque during the annual hajj pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
May 25, 2026, 10:04 am
Hajj pilgrims brave sweltering Mecca heat with ice cream and giant fans
Millions of Muslims from around the world flock to Saudi Arabia’s holy city, though summer scorcher raises heatstroke risk as authorities look to cool down the massive crowds
By Haitham el-Tabei
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
May 24, 2026, 9:32 am
Pilgrims from the West flock to hajj in Mecca despite uncertainty in war with Iran
Many Muslims from the West say they feel a sense of safety during the religious pilgrimage to the holy city in Saudi Arabia, even as countries issued travel warnings
By Haitham el-Tabei
In this photograph taken through a glass fence, Muslim pilgrims are seen praying around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, on May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
May 23, 2026, 2:03 pm
Pilgrims for annual hajj in Mecca surpass 2025 numbers despite Middle East war
Saudi official says over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims have come to kingdom, with more expected to arrive, to perform one of the five pillars of the faith
By AFP
A man affected by the scorching heat is helped by another as Muslim pilgrims arrive to perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual as part of the hajj pilgrimage in Mina, near Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, on June 16, 2024. (Fadel Senna/AFP)
June 23, 2024, 1:43 pm
Over 1,000 pilgrims dead during hajj in Saudi, officials say
Pilgrimage took place under soaring temperatures, and unauthorized visitors without hotel rooms had nowhere to escape heat; no official comment from kingdom
By Samy Magdy
Muslim pilgrims perform the farewell circumambulation or "tawaf," circling seven times around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 18, 2024 at the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
June 20, 2024, 2:16 pm
Death toll at hajj pilgrimage exceeds 1,000 following extreme heat
Witnesses say bodies lined road outside Mecca until medical vehicles arrived; many fainted during pilgrimage; climate scientists warn of worse scenes in coming decades
By Agencies
Muslim pilgrims gather to perform the farewell circumambulation or "tawaf," at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 18, 2024, at the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage. (AFP)
June 19, 2024, 3:06 am
At least 550 pilgrims died during hajj, most of them from the heat, diplomats say
Over half of those killed were Egyptians; death toll was ‘absolutely’ boosted by the high number of unregistered pilgrims
By AFP
Muslim pilgrims try to reach for free drinking water in Arafat, on the second day of the annual hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
June 16, 2024, 6:28 pm
Deaths reported in Mecca as Muslims complete last hajj ritual in extreme heat
Some pilgrims say once in a lifetime experience marred by ongoing Israel-Hamas war, defying Saudi warning against political comments during pilgrimage
By Sahar Al Attar
Muslim worshipers pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on June 13, 2024, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage (Fadel Senna/AFP)
June 14, 2024, 11:19 am
Pilgrims begin hajj in Mecca, with 1,000 Gazans joining at invitation of Saudi king
Saudi authorities expect total number of Muslim worshipers to exceed 2 million; Palestinian authorities say 4,200 pilgrims from West Bank in attendance
By AP and ToI Staff
Muslim worshipers and pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 24, 2023, as they arrive for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP)
June 29, 2023, 11:12 pm
2,000 hit by heat stress during Hajj, as at least 230 die from health complications
Worshipers grapple with extreme heat during days-long pilgrimage to Mecca, with temperatures reaching 48°C; dead include 114-year-old Iranian who suffered heart attack
By AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. (AP/ Amr Nabil)
June 25, 2023, 9:50 pm
Massive crowds converge at Mecca’s Grand Mosque as annual hajj begins in Saudi heat
Islam’s holiest site to host more than 2 million worshipers from 160 countries, in what Saudi authorities expect to be the largest pilgrimage in history
By Haitham el-Tabei
A Saudi family distributes free tea to pilgrims, as Muslims from around the world arrive to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy Saudi city of Mecca on June 23, 2023. (Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
June 25, 2023, 11:24 am
‘God’s guests’: Saudis safeguard hajj hospitality tradition
Residents of Mecca sustain annual pilgrim multitudes with food and water, a custom they maintain even in an era of luxury accommodation for tourists
By Haitham el-Tabei
In this photo taken with low shutter speed, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (Amr Nabil/AP)
June 20, 2023, 8:01 pm
Flights between Israel and Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims won’t be ready for Hajj
While US, Saudi and Israeli officials had been working to get line up by end of month, Hanegbi says they weren’t able to pull it off; reason not said to be political
By Jacob Magid
Huda Zaqqout reads from a large copy of a Muslim holy book at her home, a few weeks before she is slated to travel to Mecca for the Muslim pilgrimage of hajj, in Gaza City, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
June 15, 2023, 12:08 pm
‘Now I can die in peace’: After long waits, new pilgrims ready for COVID-free hajj
After 3 years in which pandemic limited attendance and long waiting lists swelled further, Muslims from Gaza, Indonesia and the US prepare for once-in-a-lifetime visit to Mecca
By Agencies and ToI Staff
In this photo taken with low shutter speed, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (Amr Nabil/AP)
May 21, 2023, 11:54 pm
Israel reportedly in ‘advanced’ talks for direct flights to Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Several outlets claim breakthrough in talks for pilgrimage flights next month, which would ease burden for Muslims making trip; FM Cohen says normalization possible in 6 months
By ToI Staff
A Yemeni national holding a banner that reads: "Umrah for the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among the righteous," during a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Twitter screenshot, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
September 13, 2022, 12:55 pm
Man arrested for Mecca pilgrimage honoring Queen Elizabeth
Yemeni national violates laws at Islam’s holiest site where carrying banners is forbidden, and ‘umrah’ may only be carried out on behalf of deceased Muslims
By AFP
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