More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year's hajj, exceeding last year's total according to France 24. A U.S. national named Fadel, 49, stated he would attend regardless of ongoing conflict and described the site as the safest place in the world, despite an active U.S. government travel advisory reported by The Japan Times. The event is dated May 24, 2026 in available reporting.