Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — A wide range of integrated services is operating inside the Grand Mosque to help pilgrims and worshippers move smoothly and safely while performing their rituals, as millions of visitors pass through the site daily.

From the moment worshippers arrive at the mosque’s gates, clear guidance systems take over.

Entry points are supported by organized pathways, digital screens displaying crowd density on each floor, and dedicated facilities for people with disabilities, including adapted gates, ramps, wheelchairs, elevators, and escalators designed to keep movement flowing throughout the complex.

To highlight these efforts and raise public awareness, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, together with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, released a video offering a behind-the-scenes look at daily operations inside the Grand Mosque.

A mosque built to handle massive crowds

The video showcases the scale of the Grand Mosque, which spans more than 1.8 million square meters and can accommodate over 2.5 million worshippers at once.

Managing movement across such a vast area requires constant readiness and precise organization.

Live footage follows pilgrims as they move from the gates into the mosque, guided by floor markings and digital screens that help them choose less crowded routes.

The video also highlights services dedicated to people with disabilities, alongside the escalators and elevators that provide easy access to all levels.

Mobility, convenience, and on-site support

The film details transportation services within the mosque, including wheelchairs and electric carts for tawaf and sa’i. These services can be booked online through the authority’s platform.

It also documents the free shaving service available immediately after completing sa’i, with mobile barber units located directly at the exits of the mas’a, allowing pilgrims to complete their rituals without leaving the central area.

Other featured facilities include restrooms surrounding the mosque and their maintenance systems, as well as 24-hour luggage storage centers, enabling visitors to worship without carrying bags.

The video also highlights nearby restaurants, cafés, and retail outlets that provide spaces for rest and refreshment between rituals.

Guidance available in 16 languages

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to offer multiple support and guidance channels for visitors.

These include a 24-hour call center (1966) and educational guides for the Grand Mosque available in 16 languages, helping pilgrims plan their visit and navigate their journey with confidence.

The range of services inside and around the Grand Mosque reflects the level of care dedicated to the Guests of Allah and illustrates the scale of daily work aimed at ensuring a smooth, safe, and spiritually fulfilling experience from arrival to departure.