Amid its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, Iran has utilized only a third of its annual Hajj quota, sending just 32,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. Iranian officials cited severe foreign currency shortages linked to the war—which recently saw Tehran target Saudi petrochemical plants—as the primary reason for the drastic cut. Curiously, observers noted a complete absence of ethnic Persian pilgrims, with the entire Iranian contingent appearing to consist of ethnic Turks from the country’s northern provinces. These worshippers, who wait up to 18 years for the costly journey, have been seamlessly blending with Turkish nationals in Mecca due to their fluent, Istanbul-accented Turkish. Despite soaring geopolitical tensions, the pilgrims report performing their rituals without discrimination, embracing the opportunity to peacefully mingle with the global Muslim community.
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