Mecca

Allies unite behind Saudi Arabia as more Iranian flights curtailed

Amid the fighting, the Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish foreign ministers met within the framework of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed in August.

Saudis pound Yemen, Houthis fire at Saudi, as Middle East war spreads

Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and the focal point of the annual haj pilgrimage.

Pakistan says no military response discussed under Mecca pact over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh could consider joining Mecca pact, in test for foreign ties

(From left) Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Aug 7.

Iran war raises airfares for haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia

The war in Iran has disrupted air traffic across the Gulf since February and resulted in record prices for jet fuel, leading to higher ticket fares for those seeking to travel to the sacred city of Mecca.

Saudi Arabia turns to drones to shield pilgrims from extreme heat

A drone used to transport medical supplies performs a display flight in the Arafat area near Islam's holy city of Mecca, on May 23.

With ice cream and giant fans, haj pilgrims battle searing heat in Saudi Arabia

Pilgrims perform most of the haj’s rites outdoors including at Mecca’s Grand Mosque.

Police in Indonesia name 13 suspects for organising illegal haj

The 2026 haj is expected to take place from May 24 to May 29.

Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers meet in Mecca, SPA agency reports

FILE PHOTO: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a joint press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following their meeting in Moscow, Russia July 4, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/File Photo

More than 1,000 die in haj amid scorching temperatures

Mecca, June 18, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.