As Ramadan nears its end, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced new guidelines to help pilgrims have a smooth and peaceful Umrah experience. Since millions of worshippers are expected to visit Mecca in the last ten days of the holy month, these rules aim to ensure safety, order, and spiritual fulfillment.
During these final days, the number of visitors to Mecca reaches its highest point. To manage the large crowds, the Ministry has urged pilgrims to follow important rules that will help keep the pilgrimage organized and peaceful.
One of the key instructions is that all pilgrims must get an Umrah permit in advance. They are also required to arrive at their scheduled time to prevent overcrowding at the Grand Mosque.
To ease congestion, the Ministry has requested that worshippers perform Umrah only once during this period. It also encouraged pilgrims to pray in mosques throughout Mecca instead of gathering only in the Grand Mosque, allowing more people to worship comfortably.
Public transport is strongly recommended to reduce traffic and make travel easier. Additionally, pilgrims have been asked to avoid blocking pathways and staircases to allow smooth movement for others.
To handle the massive number of visitors, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has increased its preparations. A detailed plan has been put in place, covering cleaning, crowd control, and accessibility improvements.
Thousands of workers and advanced equipment have been deployed to maintain cleanliness, manage the flow of people, and provide essential services. These include access to Zamzam water, prayer areas with a pleasant fragrance, and facilities like carts and escalators for elderly and disabled visitors.
Cleaning teams have been trained to sanitize the entire mosque in just 35 minutes. Special attention is also given to keeping the holy site smelling fresh, with over 20 rounds of perfuming every day using more than two kilograms of oud.
There are 428 escalators, 28 elevators, and over 1,300 electric speakers available to assist pilgrims. Cooling systems with a capacity of 90,000 tons of energy have been activated to keep the mosque comfortable.
Special Arrangements for the Final Nights
The authorities have also made special arrangements for itikaf, a spiritual retreat that takes place during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Dedicated prayer spaces, storage for belongings, and a 24/7 childcare center have been introduced to provide convenience for all visitors.
To further improve transportation, a unified digital system has been launched to help pilgrims book their rides and move around the city more easily.
By following these guidelines, the millions of pilgrims coming to Mecca can have a safer, more organized, and spiritually fulfilling experience during the blessed days of Ramadan.
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