Hajj 2026 is underway in Makkah and Madinah, backed by an enormous administrative, technological, and logistical operation led by Saudi authorities. In the third part of his Hajjnama 2026, Asad Mirza offers an insider’s look at these preparations from Jeddah and Makkah
JEDDAH/MAKKAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Madinah Region activated its stroke pathway protocol for a 57-year-old Egyptian pilgrim after responding to a medical emergency at the Prophet’s Mosque.
Director General of the authority’s branch in Madinah, Ahmed Al-Zahrani, said emergency teams responded to the case within one minute and 39 seconds after the pilgrim experienced sudden symptoms. Following an emergency assessment and preliminary examinations, signs consistent with a stroke were identified, prompting the immediate activation of the stroke pathway in accordance with approved medical protocols.
Al-Zahrani added that the patient was transferred to the nearest hospital to receive the necessary medical treatment. He affirmed the continued readiness and deployment of emergency teams at the Prophet’s Mosque and the surrounding central area to ensure rapid response to emergency cases in the service of pilgrims and visitors.
Faster Pilgrim Entry
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has upgraded its technical infrastructure at Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif international airports to streamline entry procedures for arriving pilgrims during the 1447 AH Hajj season.
Working in coordination with other airport government agencies, SDAIA has optimised its digital platforms, network systems, and operational workstations to ensure high-efficiency processing.
Specialised technical and engineering teams remain deployed around the clock to monitor system readiness, provide immediate technical support, and maintain seamless operational continuity.
AI Media Solutions
The Hajj Management Authority showcased the latest technological solutions, digital experiences, and artificial intelligence innovations transforming media coverage for the 1447 AH Hajj season.
Featuring broad participation from governmental, private, and non-profit entities, the initiative provides high-quality services to pilgrims while empowering local and international media outlets to broadcast coverage with advanced professionalism.
Supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the event also features specialised workshops focused on utilising modern technology and AI to accelerate information dissemination and elevate content creation standards across the media sector.
First Holy Site
Mina stands as the first of the holy sites visited by pilgrims, who head to the valley on the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhu Al-Hijjah/25 May 2026) before returning on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Dhu Al-Hijjah/27 May 2026) and the three days of Tashreeq.
Uninhabited throughout the year outside the Hajj season, this 16.8-square-kilometre valley is located within the sanctuary boundaries between Makkah and Muzdalifah, roughly seven kilometres from the Grand Mosque.
Bordered by mountains and flanked by Jamrat Al-Aqaba on the Makkah side and Wadi Muhassar on the Muzdalifah side, the historic valley contains the three Jamarat pillars for the stoning ritual as well as the famous Al-Khayf Mosque, historically known as the Mosque of the Prophets.
Mina Tent City
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing remarkable progress in the manufacturing and operation of the holy sites tents project, establishing a global model for operational efficiency and exceptional pilgrim services at Mina, which is transformed every year into the world’s largest tent city during Hajj.
Representing significant effort and planning, the massive tent system was developed, manufactured, and operated entirely through Saudi expertise, ensuring the highest international standards of quality.
The tent network relies on a highly integrated structural framework designed to maximise safety. Manufactured from specialised fire- and water-resistant materials, the tents are equipped with state-of-the-art automatic alarm and fire suppression systems, ensuring a high level of security and comfort for pilgrims.
The manufacturing process utilises advanced materials, including Teflon-coated fibreglass fabrics, which significantly enhance the structures’ resistance to intense heat, fire, and fluctuating weather conditions. Spanning an astonishing 2.5 million square metres, the complex can accommodate approximately 2.6 million pilgrims, making Mina the largest tent city in the world. This monumental scale reflects the Kingdom’s meticulous urban planning and its unwavering commitment to providing an optimal environment for pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease.
Ultimately, the holy sites tents project stands as a powerful testament to the advanced capabilities of the Saudi industrial sector. It is a national success story that reinforces the Kingdom’s pride in its localised manufacturing potential and its profound dedication to serving pilgrims.
(The writer is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)
