The Hajj pilgrimage gathers more than two million attendees annually, creating a sophisticated logistical problem and intense environmental and financial strain. Since waste management may be as cumbersome as the strained infrastructure, the need for sustainable management strategies for such a huge religious congregation has never been higher. Although the circular economy (CE) offers an opportunity, its practical application in the Hajj context remains under-studied. This study addresses that gap by converting broad endorsement of circularity into an ordered, decision-ready agenda. The current paper suggests a decision-making model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify and prioritize CE strategies depending on the unique demands of Hajj operations. The method used was expert elicitation to assess four major criteria: waste management, resource efficiency, sustainable procurement, and technological innovation. Among these criteria, waste management received the highest priority (weight = 0.564), and waste segregation was the most consequential strategy (global priority = 0.311). Recycling efforts and integration of renewable energy followed closely, providing viable short-term gains. In contrast, future-oriented technologies such as blockchain and 3D printing occupied lower positions, reflecting concerns related to complexity and implementation readiness. Consistency testing (CR < 0.10) and sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the resulting ranking. The framework gives practical advice to planners, service providers, and policymakers determined to make religious mega-events sustainable. Balancing environmental management against the spiritual and cultural requirements of Hajj, this research provides an empirically grounded decision tool and a call to action for more sustainable pilgrimage logistics.