Trending Now - Muslims Embark on Hajj Pilgrimage Amid Heat and Conflict Fears
WHO:
PBS - Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim expressed, "I am in a state of blessing and happiness. It's an indescribable feeling, truly. I mean, thank God, I am in a blessing."
PBS - Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University, stated, "This Hajj is, in effect, a hard reset for me."
PBS - More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country.
PBS - Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba is the commander of the Hajj passport forces.
PBS - Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim expressed gratitude for making it to the Hajj.
PBS - Youssef Chouhoud is a political scientist at Christopher Newport University in Virginia.
WHAT:
ABC News - Muslim pilgrims have gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for the second day of Hajj, considered the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage.
AP - More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, which is 11,000 more than the number of Muslims who traveled to the Gulf kingdom last year.
AP - Trump stated that a deal with Iran on the war, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been "largely negotiated" after calls with Israel and other allies in the region.
PBS - The annual Hajj pilgrimage officially began on a Monday.
PBS - Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able.
PBS - Pilgrims perform Hajj rituals over several days.
PBS - Trump stated that a deal with Iran on the war has been "largely negotiated."
PBS - Trump described the deal as a "Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE" that still must be finalized.
WHERE:
PBS - The Hajj pilgrimage is taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
PBS - Pilgrims are camping in Mina, a nearby area.
WHEN:
PBS - The pinnacle of the pilgrimage will occur on a Tuesday when pilgrims will stand on the plain of Arafat.
WHY:
AP - Authorities in Indonesia have emphasized contingency planning for the pilgrimage and issued instructions to ensure that additional travel costs not be passed on to Indonesian pilgrims due to high fuel prices affecting travel costs for pilgrims in India.
PBS - Pilgrims are motivated by their faith and the desire to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.
PBS - The backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and regional tensions has created uncertainty for pilgrims.
HOW:
PBS - Many pilgrims have been using umbrellas for shade and carrying handheld fans to cope with the intense heat. Volunteers are handing out water bottles to help them stay hydrated and fans are spraying fine mists of water.
PBS - Pilgrims are using umbrellas for shade and carrying handheld fans to cope with the intense heat.
PBS - Volunteers are handing out water bottles to help pilgrims stay hydrated and fans are spraying fine mists of water.
(UPDATED May 26, 2026 13:52 UTC)
Muslim pilgrims have gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for the second day of Hajj, which is regarded as the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim expressed her joy, saying, "I am in a state of blessing and happiness," while political scientist Youssef Chouhoud described this experience as a "hard reset" for him. To cope with the intense heat, many pilgrims are using umbrellas for shade and handheld fans, while volunteers are distributing water bottles and spraying fine mists to help keep everyone hydrated.
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(UPDATED May 26, 2026 04:17 UTC)
More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, marking an increase of 11,000 compared to last year's numbers. In related news, Trump announced that a deal with Iran regarding the war, which includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, has been "largely negotiated" following discussions with Israel and other regional allies. Meanwhile, authorities in Indonesia are focusing on contingency planning for the pilgrimage, ensuring that rising travel costs due to high fuel prices do not burden Indonesian pilgrims.
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(UPDATED May 26, 2026 01:32 UTC)
More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is taking place in Mecca and involves rituals performed over several days, culminating on a Tuesday when pilgrims will stand on the plain of Arafat. Pilgrims, motivated by their faith and the desire for forgiveness, are coping with the intense heat by using umbrellas and handheld fans, while volunteers distribute water bottles and misting fans to keep everyone hydrated. In related news, Trump has stated that a deal with Iran regarding the war has been "largely negotiated" and described it as a "Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE" that still needs to be finalized.