Dubai: As the days of Ramadan draw to a close, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued a fresh set of operational guidelines aimed at ensuring a smooth and spiritually fulfilling Umrah experience for millions of worshippers expected to descend upon the holy city of Mecca during the last 10 days of the month.
With crowd numbers reaching their annual peak, the Ministry called on pilgrims to adhere strictly to organisational procedures designed to safeguard both the safety and serenity of the pilgrimage.
In an infographic released Thursday, the Ministry urged pilgrims to secure Umrah permits in advance and arrive strictly at their designated times to help ease congestion around the Grand Mosque.
The Ministry also encouraged visitors to perform Umrah only once during this period and to conduct daily prayers in mosques across Mecca, rather than concentrating all worship inside the Haram, to relieve pressure on the sacred site.
Public transportation use was strongly recommended to mitigate vehicular congestion, and pilgrims were advised to avoid overcrowding passageways and stairwells to facilitate the free movement of fellow worshippers.
Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has ramped up its operational readiness to accommodate the soaring influx of pilgrims. Authorities have launched an integrated service plan encompassing sanitation, crowd control, environmental hygiene, and enhanced accessibility measures.
Thousands of personnel and pieces of equipment have been deployed to maintain cleanliness, manage crowds, and deliver essential amenities such as Zamzam water, perfumed prayer areas, and logistical support including carts and escalators.
The authority reported that cleaning teams can now sanitise the entire mosque 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 over 1,300 electric speakers have been prepared, alongside cooling systems powered by an energy capacity of 90,000 tons.
Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities have also been prioritised. Dedicated prayer areas, luggage storage, and even a 24/7 childcare centre have been introduced to ensure ease of movement and comfort for all visitors.
Additionally, new provisions for itikaf — a spiritual retreat observed during the final ten nights — have been arranged, while a unified digital platform for reserving transportation aims to streamline pilgrim mobility throughout the city.
