As nearly two million Muslims converge in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, the pilgrimage this year will be marked by high-tech innovations, political turbulence, and a renewed spirit of faith across the Ummah.
Saudi authorities have rolled out smart services to assist pilgrims during the soul-stirring journey which will begin on Wednesday.
AI-powered robots like Manarah 2 will offer real-time multilingual support, while Nusuk cards will help manage appointments and store key data such as accommodation information. Health app Tawakkalna will also allow pilgrims to monitor their wellbeing and access medical support.
The Makkah Bus Guidance Center will ensure smooth transportation, a smart luggage system will deliver pilgrims’ bags from departure airports directly to their hotels, while various mobile apps will aid with Qur’anic recitation, prayer times and religious education.
Yet as this global journey of faith unfolds, other Muslims are battling to survive. In Gaza, a controversial Israeli-American aid distribution mechanism — operating outside of UN frameworks — has resulted in deadly chaos. Palestinian civilians seeking food are being met with drone fire and gunshots.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces rammed a military vehicle into a bus carrying elderly Palestinian pilgrims in Jenin. The bus had been preparing to leave for Jordan, en route to Mecca. “Most of the passengers were elderly and suffering from chronic illnesses, which added to the trauma and fear,” said Jenin’s deputy governor.
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Further instability has affected Hajj travel from other regions too.
In Libya, violent clashes in Tripoli forced the temporary suspension of operations at Mitiga International Airport. Flights have now resumed, and Hajj departures are back on schedule.
In contrast, there was a rare sign of diplomatic progress between regional rivals. Two Iranian pilgrims detained in Medina were released after negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Tehran, reflecting cautious cooperation amidst improving ties.
Despite these global tensions, the Hajj continues uninterrupted. Pilgrims begin by entering ihram — a state of purity — before performing the tawaf around the Kaaba, praying on the plain of Arafah, and symbolically rejecting Satan by stoning the pillars at Mina.
The journey concludes with Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, where Muslims offer qurbani meat to the needy in a profound act of faith and solidarity.
