JEDDAH ( WNAM MONITORING): Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received congratulatory messages from leaders across the Islamic world ahead of Eid Al-Adha, according to a report carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
The messages were sent on the occasion of the Islamic holiday, which coincides with the peak days of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the crown prince replied with cables expressing appreciation for the greetings and prayers conveyed by leaders of Muslim-majority countries, SPA reported.
The Saudi leaders prayed for continued security, stability and prosperity for the Islamic world and asked God to accept the good deeds of all during the Hajj and Eid season.
The exchange of messages came as more than 1.7 million pilgrims gathered in the Kingdom for Hajj 2026, one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
Saudi authorities said 1,707,301 pilgrims are performing Hajj this year, an increase of about 2 percent from 2025, reflecting sustained global demand for pilgrimage places despite regional and international challenges.
According to official statistics, more than 1.54 million pilgrims arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, the majority by air, while about 160,000 pilgrims were domestic worshippers and residents.
Saudi officials have credited expanded infrastructure, digital services and enhanced crowd-management systems for improving the movement of pilgrims between the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Authorities also expanded the Makkah Route Initiative, which allows pilgrims to complete immigration and customs procedures in their home countries before departure. Nearly 389,000 pilgrims used the service this year, up almost 24 percent from last year.
More than 441,000 personnel were deployed this season to support Hajj operations, including security forces, healthcare workers, transport coordinators and emergency response teams overseeing the movement and safety of pilgrims.
