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* World

# Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/B0yan9Fw.m3u8" -->
## Video: Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage

[Watch (HLS stream): Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/B0yan9Fw.m3u8) (1:26)

![Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/B0yan9Fw/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2025-06-06. Saudi Arabia has announced drastic changes for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage that begins today, including new rules prohibiting children from accompanying pilgrims, and prioritizing pilgrims traveling for the first time. The changes represent the most significant transformation of pilgrimage access in modern history._


---

Jun 6, 2025 6:20 PM UTC

---

## More From This Series

[All Videos](https://time.com/video/)

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![Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage \[VERTICAL\]](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EKOGfsQy/poster.jpg?width=720)01:29

### Saudi Arabia Has Announced Drastic Changes for the 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage \[VERTICAL\]

[Hajj Pilgrimage Starts in Saudi Arabia](/video/bSi8RDAE/)

### Hajj Pilgrimage Starts in Saudi Arabia

[Saudi Arabia to Hold 'Very Limited' Hajj Due to COVID-19](/video/51Jz3FTq/)

### Saudi Arabia to Hold 'Very Limited' Hajj Due to COVID-19

---


## Transcript

Saudi Arabia announced drastic changes for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam, and draws about 2 million Muslims annually to Saudi Arabia to complete the journey that every mature, able bodied Muslim is required to undertake at least once. The new policies mark some of the most significant shifts in its 1400 year history. Children have been banned from this year's Hajj. Breaking with centuries of tradition where families often travel together, the Saudi ministry cited safety for the decision. In 2024, more than 1300 people died during the pilgrimage, primarily from extreme heat and overcrowding.

For safety, the Saudis have deployed a network of AI powered drones with thermal imaging technology that authorities will use to monitor millions of pilgrims in real time for swift responses to potential threats. New heat mitigation measures have been implemented this year that include the world's largest cooling system, with a capacity of 155,000 tons of refrigeration, along with over 400 cooling units and expanded shaded areas. The host kingdom also changed its visa policy, limiting travelers from 14 countries to only a single entry visa. An entry to the holy cities has been tightened. Saudi Arabia also instituted a system favoring Muslims who have never completed the Hajj.

The change addresses long standing equity concerns within the global Muslim community, where repeat pilgrims from wealthier nations could more easily secure spots than first time pilgrims from developing countries. As Hajj travel packages range from 10,000 to $15,000 per person.

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