At the peak of the Hajj trip on Tuesday, a large number of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat when temperatures reached 40C due to the harsh desert sun.
On the 230-foot rocky hill next to Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his last speech, thousands of worshipers dressed in white robes began reciting passages from the Quran at dawn.
Despite the shadow of conflict cast over the Middle East by the US and Israeli war with Iran, more than 1.5 million individuals have performed the hajj this year.
Tehran responded to the conflict by launching waves of drone and ballistic missile strikes that targeted important energy and infrastructure facilities around the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.
Approximately one-third of the 86,000 Iranians who were initially anticipated have made the trip—more than 30,000.
The “wartime situation” is the reason for the decline, according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA.
Saudi officials reported over the weekend that more foreign pilgrims have traveled this year than in 2025, despite the conflict.
All Muslims who have the means to do so are required to perform the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, at least once.
At the peak of the Hajj trip, a large number of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat on Tuesday as temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius due to the harsh desert sun.
On May 26, 2026, Muslim pilgrims assemble at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat for the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
On the 230-foot rocky hill next to Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is thought to have given his last speech, thousands of worshipers dressed in white robes began reciting passages from the Quran at dawn.
In order to conduct wuquf, which is regarded as the most important component of the Hajj, prospective pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat, also known as the Mountain of Mercy.
During the yearly Hajj pilgrimage in 40°C heat, Muslim pilgrims congregate beside misting fans at Mount of Mercy in the plain of Arafat.
On May 26, 2026, Muslim pilgrims assemble outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at Mount of Mercy on the plain of Arafat as the sun rises for the yearly Hajj trip.
Despite the shadow of conflict cast over the Middle East by the US and Israeli war with Iran, over 1.5 million people have performed the hajj this year.
On May 24, 2026, this aerial photograph depicts the Grand Mosque complex in Mecca as Muslims offer the evening prayer around the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.
During the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, Muslims offer prayers atop the rocky slope known as the Mountain of Mercy on the Plain of Arafat.
Approximately one-third of the 86,000 Iranians who were initially anticipated have traveled, with over 30,000 having done so.
The “wartime situation” is the reason for the decline, according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA. Saudi officials reported over the weekend that more pilgrims had come from overseas this year than in 2025, despite the conflict.
During the yearly Hajj trip in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Muslim pilgrims bow down as they perform sunset prayers around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest location in the holy city of Mecca.
All Muslims who have the means must perform the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, at least once.
Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun during the primarily outdoor ceremonies, which can take up to five days to complete, while temperatures in Mecca have recently reached 44 degrees.
Muslim pilgrims touch the Kaaba’s walls while they worship.
During the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, Muslims congregate beside misting fans at Mount of Mercy in the plain of Arafat.
During the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, Muslims reach the rocky slope in the Plain of Arafat known as the Mountain of Mercy.
Men are not allowed to wear hats, therefore many of them carry umbrellas to try to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
It is believed that the hajj traces the route of the Prophet Mohammed’s last journey, which took place approximately 1,400 years ago.
Saudi authorities have advised pilgrims to stay hydrated and shield themselves from the heat during the primarily outdoor rites, which can take up to five days to complete, while temperatures in Mecca have recently reached 44 degrees.
Men are not allowed to wear hats, therefore many carry umbrellas to try to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
Following Mount Arafat, pilgrims will spend the night at Muzdalifah, where they will gather pebbles for Mina’s symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual, which begins on Wednesday.
The journey of the Prophet Mohammed’s last pilgrimage, which took place around 1,400 years ago, is supposedly followed by the hajj.
The Al Saud dynasty, whose ruler is known as the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in Mecca and Medina, has historically relied heavily on it for legitimacy.
In a statement released on Tuesday for the Hajj pilgrimage, the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that Israel would cease to exist within the next fifteen years.
The message alluded to statements made ten years prior by the deceased former supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, who predicted that Israel would “not see the next 25 years.”
The statement described Israel as “approaching the final stages of its cursed existence,” calling it a “cancerous tumor” and a “unstable Zionist regime.”
