WORLD NEWS: Pilgrimage to Mecca: more than 1.5 million people go to Riyadh despite the war in Iran
International Briefing:
Global attention remains focused on this evolving story as officials and analysts assess the broader implications.
More than 1.5 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad this year for the hajj, a higher figure than last year when the pilgrimage only begins on Monday. “The total number of visitors now stands at 1,518,153,” Saleh al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj Border Police Force, said at a press conference on Friday (May 22). In 2025, 1.67 million pilgrims had made the trip, including 1.5 from abroad. “We are in the safest place in the world,” said Fadel, a 49-year-old American who traveled to Mecca for the hajj despite the very tense situation in the Middle East and the injunctions from the authorities of his country to avoid this pilgrimage this year. The hajj takes place almost three months after the unprecedented Israeli-American attack on Tehran on February 28. In retaliation, the Islamic Republic had repeatedly targeted its Gulf neighbors, allies of Washington, including Saudi Arabia. While a truce has been in force since April 8 and Tehran and Washington are negotiating with a view to putting a lasting end to the war, American President Donald Trump regularly threatens to resume strikes on Iran if an agreement is not reached. “Even if the war was still going on, I would not have withdrawn,” Fadel, who does not wish to give his full identity, explains to AFP. “No doubt about coming” The great annual pilgrimage, which begins Monday, consists of a series of codified rites taking place over several days in Mecca and its surroundings. It constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by every Muslim at least once in their life if they have the means. The US Embassy in Riyadh warned last month: “Due to the current security situation and intermittent travel disruptions, we recommend that you reconsider participating in the hajj this year.” “If the conflict resumes, this could disrupt the transport of pilgrims”, “they could find themselves stranded, creating additional logistical and reception challenges”, anticipates Umer Karim, specialist on Saudi Arabia at the University of Birmingham. Also read: Why would Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates bomb Iran in “secret”? Sayed, a 47-year-old Australian, is making the pilgrimage for the 7th time despite advice from his government to avoid all travel to the region. He even had “no doubt about coming” because when “you are here, you place your faith in God so that everything goes well”, assures the pilgrim, dressed in white, in front of the Grand Mosque of Mecca. “We take this opportunity (…) to pray so that peace, security and stability reign in the Islamic world,” said Saïd Ammar, a 57-year-old Moroccan. Many carry bags or umbrellas bearing the image of their countries of origin, showing the great diversity of nationalities present. “It’s a chance that only comes once in a lifetime and I decided not to let it pass,” confides Ibrahim Diab, a 63-year-old German. Some, like Imad Ahmad, however, confide that they are “very anxious”. Especially since this 36-year-old British accountant saw his trip briefly interrupted on Wednesday in Jordan. The Jordanian army said it had shot down an unidentified drone in the airspace. With AFP
Key Developments:
Officials and international observers are expected to continue monitoring the story closely over the coming days.
Political and economic analysts are paying close attention to the potential consequences of these events.
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Source: This article was originally published by France 24 – Infos, news & actualités – L'information internationale en direct and adapted for our international English-speaking audience.
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