MECCA, Saudi Arabia, May 26, 2026: More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat on Tuesday for the most significant ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, praying under intense desert heat as temperatures approached 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit).
From early morning, tens of thousands of worshippers dressed in white garments climbed and gathered around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or the “Mount of Mercy,” near the holy city of Mecca. The site is believed to be where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon around 1,400 years ago.
Pilgrims spent the day reciting Quranic verses, praying, and seeking forgiveness during the ritual known as wuquf, considered the spiritual peak of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi authorities and volunteers distributed water bottles, umbrellas, and food packages to help pilgrims cope with the severe heat during the mostly outdoor rituals.
“It is an indescribable feeling,” Egyptian pilgrim Ahmoud Abou Elezz, 35, told AFP while approaching Mount Arafat for the first time.
This year’s Hajj comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
According to reports, more than 30,000 Iranian pilgrims attended this year’s Hajj, significantly lower than the approximately 86,000 initially expected. Iran’s state news agency IRNA attributed the decline to the “wartime situation” in the region.
Despite regional instability, Saudi officials said the number of foreign pilgrims this year exceeded last year’s figures.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it.
With temperatures remaining dangerously high in recent days, Saudi authorities repeatedly advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Since male pilgrims are prohibited from covering their heads during Hajj rituals, many carried umbrellas for protection.
