Mecca in the news as Saudi Arabia pushes a 100M-tourist goal; holy city of Islam, home to Kaaba, capital of Mecca Province. Population and history aside, focus today is on tourism strategy.
New Justice Department files show Jeffrey Epstein referred to a private island building as a mosque, with plans evolving from a music room to Middle Eastern-inspired spaces. The materials include references to mosque tiles, a golden dome, and discussions with Saudi and Uzbek contacts as Epstein advanced his art-collecting and networking interests before his 2019 death.
Pilgrims have arrived in Mecca for the Hajj as security concerns and regional conflict persist. Reports show over 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad have entered Saudi Arabia, with the pilgrimage continuing despite airspace disruptions and logistical challenges linked to the broader Middle East crisis.