Medina first: The spiritual start
Most pilgrims have landed at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, where many begin their pilgrimage by praying at the Prophet’s Mosque — Islam’s second holiest site — before continuing to Mecca.
The Mecca Route Initiative
Pilgrims from Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh benefit from Saudi Arabia’s “Mecca Route” initiative — a fast-track system that finalizes travel and health procedures in the pilgrim’s home country. The program includes:
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Biometric data collection and electronic visa issuance
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Health clearance and passport procedures before departure
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Luggage tagging and direct transport from the airport to residences in Mecca or Medina
Last year, around 1.8 million Muslims from both inside and outside Saudi Arabia performed the Hajj.
