More than 1.6 million Muslim pilgrims have converged on Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which runs officially from 25 to 29 May. Among the faithful are pilgrims from war-affected Sudan and Yemen, who described overcoming significant obstacles to reach Islam's holiest site. The gathering takes place against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire following the Iran war, which has seen Saudi Arabia struck by missiles and drone strikes earlier in the year and left some Muslim travellers stranded in the kingdom during earlier religious visits.

The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is required at least once in a lifetime of every Muslim who is physically and financially able to undertake it. Pilgrims enter a state of ritual purity known as ihram, with men donning simple white unstitched garments as a symbol of humility and equality before God. Core rituals include circling the Kaaba — a cube-shaped structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Mecca that serves as the focal point of Muslim prayer worldwide — seven times counterclockwise, standing in worship on the plain of Arafat, and retracing the steps of Hagar, wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, between two hills. The pilgrimage also coincides with Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, which commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in submission to God.

Saudi authorities have staged extensive preparations to manage the enormous crowds. The Interior Ministry held its annual Hajj security parade in Mecca on 21 May, showcasing special police units, civil defence teams, border guards, armoured vehicles and emergency medical responders in large-scale simulations of evacuations, firefighting and crowd-control scenarios. The event was attended by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif. Helicopters and rapid-response formations featured prominently, reflecting an ongoing push to integrate technology and specialised units into pilgrimage operations.

The safety stakes are well understood. During the 2024 Hajj, more than 1,300 people died, predominantly unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances under extreme summer heat. This year's pilgrimage falls in late May, and authorities appear determined to prevent a repeat of that toll.

For the millions who make the journey, the Hajj represents far more than logistical endurance. It is widely described as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience — a chance to seek forgiveness, draw closer to God, and stand in unity with Muslims of every race, language and background. Many carry prayer requests from family and friends, and some spend years saving and waiting for permits before they can finally make the trip.