As Ramadan nears its end, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new set of operational directives to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching Umrah experience for the millions of pilgrims expected to arrive in Mecca during the last ten days of the holy month.
With the number of worshippers reaching its highest levels of the year, the Ministry has urged pilgrims to strictly follow the organizational measures in place to maintain both their safety and the sacred atmosphere of the pilgrimage.
In an infographic released on Thursday, the Ministry emphasized the importance of securing Umrah permits in advance and adhering to designated arrival times to help manage crowd congestion around the Grand Mosque.
Additionally, pilgrims have been encouraged to limit their Umrah to one time during this period and to offer daily prayers at mosques across Mecca instead of solely within the Haram, reducing overcrowding at the holy site.
To further ease congestion, the Ministry has strongly advised the use of public transportation and urged worshippers to avoid blocking passageways and staircases, ensuring smooth movement for everyone.
Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has intensified preparations to accommodate the growing number of visitors. A comprehensive service plan has been rolled out, covering sanitation, crowd management, environmental cleanliness, and accessibility enhancements.
Thousands of staff members and specialized equipment have been mobilized to maintain cleanliness, regulate crowd flow, and provide essential services, including Zamzam water distribution, fragranced prayer areas, and logistical support such as carts and escalators.
According to the authority, cleaning teams can now complete the mosque’s sanitation in just 35 minutes, with more than 20 rounds of perfuming conducted daily using over two kilograms of oud. In total, 428 escalators, 28 elevators, and more than 1,300 electric speakers have been installed, supported by cooling systems with an energy capacity of 90,000 tons.
Special attention has also been given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, including designated prayer areas, luggage storage, and a 24/7 childcare center to enhance convenience and accessibility for all visitors.
Moreover, new arrangements have been made for Itikaf, the spiritual retreat observed during the last ten nights of Ramadan, while a centralized digital platform for transportation bookings has been introduced to streamline pilgrim mobility across the city.
