Iraqi Pilgrims Begin Return Following Hajj Season; One Fatality Reported

An elderly female pilgrim from Diyala province has died following the successful completion of her Hajj rituals in Mecca and Medina. The Iraqi Hajj Commission confirmed that all Iraqi pilgrims have concluded their religious obligations, characterizing the overall pilgrimage season as orderly and successful. The Kurdistan Region’s Directorate of Hajj and Umrah announced that the first return flights for 1,027 pilgrims are scheduled to arrive at Erbil International Airport on June 4, 2026. Prior to their departure, the pilgrims will spend four days in Medina to complete final administrative and travel procedures. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics reported that a total of 1,707,301 pilgrims performed the Hajj pilgrimage this year. The return operations mark the final phase of the annual religious event for Iraqi nationals.