This number is an increase of 13 percent from the same period last year.

:: Saudi air and land ports have received 447,300 thousand pilgrims that will be performing Hajj this year.

The kingdom has activated detailed plans in order to facilitate arrival procedures quickly and accurately.

Saudi Arabia’s Directorate General of Passports said that 445,390 pilgrims have so far entered the kingdom by air, while 1,912 through land ports.

This number is an increase of 13 percent from the same period last year.

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime.

The pilgrimage is expected to take place between Wednesday 30 August and Monday 4 September in 2017, depending on official moon sightings in Saudi Arabia.