Hajj begins in Mecca under shadow of Iran war

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, Turkey — Around 1.5 million Muslims have gathered in Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage as the war involving Iran raises new security concerns across the Middle East.

According to DW Turkish, Saudi Arabia is hosting pilgrims from Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Germany, Malaysia, Bangladesh and many other countries this year. The Hajj pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on 24 May and end on 29 May.

The first groups of pilgrims from Turkey departed on 18 April. Their return journeys are expected to begin on 31 May, after Eid al-Adha, which will be observed on 27 May.

Saudi Arabia says pilgrim safety is a red line

Saudi Arabia has announced that it expects to host about 1.5 million pilgrims this year and has described their safety as an absolute priority.

Riyadh has said the security of pilgrims is a “red line” and has introduced extensive measures around the holy sites.

Saudi authorities have highlighted air defense systems, drone interception capabilities and crowd management preparations as part of the security plan for this year’s pilgrimage.

The Saudi government recently released images showing Patriot missile batteries positioned near the holy sites. Officials also referred to measures against high-altitude missiles and drones, as well as laser weapons and a multi-layered air defense system.

Iran war raises security concerns

The central concern this year is the regional war that began after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

Iran responded to those attacks by targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia. That has placed Riyadh in a more sensitive security position during one of the most crowded religious gatherings in the world.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in place, its durability is uncertain. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said since the ceasefire was announced that Washington could strike Iran again, before later saying that such decisions had been postponed at the request of other states.

Trump previously said he delayed an attack on Iran after a request from Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator. He later said a planned strike had also been postponed following requests from Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia said last weekend that it had intercepted three drones that may have been launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The announcement added to concerns about the security environment surrounding this year’s Hajj.

Hajj was not restricted this year

Historians say the Hajj, performed by Muslims in Mecca for more than 14 centuries, has been canceled or restricted about 40 times.

Saudi Arabia most recently imposed restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This year, despite the risk that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire could collapse, Riyadh decided not to impose restrictions on the pilgrimage.

The decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s effort to maintain the religious continuity of Hajj while demonstrating that it can protect pilgrims even in a tense regional environment.

U.S. and European countries issue travel warnings

Several countries have issued travel warnings ahead of the pilgrimage.

For the first time this year, the U.S. government advised Muslim citizens to reconsider their decision to perform Hajj. The warning reminded travelers that in early March, non-emergency U.S. government employees had been ordered to leave Saudi Arabia.

Other European countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom, also issued travel advisories for Saudi Arabia.

Despite those warnings, many Muslim-majority countries allowed their citizens to travel after conducting their own security assessments.

Indonesia prepared emergency evacuation plans

Indonesia, one of the countries that sends the largest number of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, initially took a cautious approach.

The country announced that it would send 221,000 pilgrims to Mecca this year, but first told its citizens to postpone their travel. It later joined other Muslim-majority countries in giving the green light for the pilgrimage.

The Indonesian government said it had emergency evacuation plans ready if needed. Officials also traveled to Saudi Arabia to provide services to Indonesian pilgrims during the Hajj period.

Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs also said that Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, head of the institution, was in Medina for the pilgrimage. Arpaguş received information from Turkish officials involved in the Hajj organization and inspected services together with representatives from the Turkish Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah.

Experts do not expect a direct attack on Mecca

Experts say Iran is unlikely to attack Mecca or pilgrims directly for religious, geopolitical and strategic reasons.

The holy sites are sacred to all Muslims, and Iran is a theocratic state. In addition, around 30,000 Iranian pilgrims are expected to be in Saudi Arabia this year despite the war.

However, analysts warn that risks do not depend only on Iran’s intentions.

Analysts cited by the House of Saud media outlet say debris from an intercepted missile could fall into areas where pilgrims are present. A drone could also deviate from its route.

They also point to the risk that if an attack or accident occurs at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor, nuclear fallout could potentially reach Saudi Arabia. Such risks, they say, are not linked to any direct intention to strike holy sites but remain part of the broader security environment.

War has made Hajj more expensive

The war in the Middle East has also affected the pilgrimage economically.

Airlines have charged higher ticket prices, making Hajj travel more expensive for many pilgrims. Governments in countries such as India, Indonesia and Malaysia held difficult negotiations with airlines to limit the cost increase.

According to The New York Times, Indonesia agreed to cover additional costs, while India’s Hajj organizing committee passed an increase of about $100 per person on to pilgrims.

Currency fluctuations and inflation have also created financial difficulties for pilgrims traveling on limited budgets.

Insurance and evacuation planning gain importance

Saudi Arabia requires pilgrims to have travel insurance. However, many standard insurance policies do not cover military conflict or war.

Policies that include conflict zones tend to be more expensive. Some Muslim-majority countries have helped negotiate better insurance arrangements for their pilgrims.

Without war-related provisions, travelers could be responsible for costs ranging from injuries to flight changes caused by conflict.

For that reason, this year’s Hajj organization is not only about religious preparation. Security planning, evacuation readiness, insurance coverage and crisis management have become central concerns.

Worship begins under heavy security

Despite regional tensions, preparations in Mecca are continuing. Pilgrims have gathered around the Kaaba and are preparing to perform one of Islam’s most important religious duties.

Saudi Arabia says it has strengthened its security measures to protect pilgrims and maintain order throughout the pilgrimage.

This year’s Hajj is therefore being watched not only as a religious event, but also as a test of regional security, crisis management, diplomacy and the ability of governments to protect citizens during a major international gathering.

For millions of Muslims, the pilgrimage remains a deeply spiritual journey. For Saudi Arabia and the wider region, it is also taking place under one of the most sensitive security climates in recent years.

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