In the worst escalation in over two decades, Indian missile and air strikes on May 7, 2025, killed at least 26 Pakistani civilians and wounded 46 more across Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced that, effective Tuesday, April 29, 2025, only those holding Hajj visas may enter or remain in Makkah. New entry and exit rules for Umrah pilgrims and additional security measures have also been issued in advance of Hajj 1446 AH.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque reported that over 122 million visitors attended these sacred sites during Ramadan, with detailed statistics showing 16,558,241 Umrah performers, 92,132,169 worshipers at Masjid al-Haram, and 30,154,543 at Masjid an-Nabawi.