Saudi Arabia Halts Summer Hajj Until 2041 in Historic Move

Saudi Arabia has announced that 2025 will be the last time Hajj takes place during the summer — for the next 16 years.

Due to the Islamic lunar calendar shifting about 10 days earlier every year, Hajj will gradually move into spring and winter, starting from 2026 until 2041.

This shift is expected to bring relief for millions of pilgrims, especially after the extreme summer heat in recent years.

In 2024, Mecca recorded temperatures as high as 51°C, resulting in thousands of heatstroke cases.

To ensure safety, Saudi authorities are planning more cooling stations, shaded rest spots, and improved weather monitoring for the 2025 Hajj season.