The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued new guidelines for Umrah pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque, advising them to plan their visit during less crowded hours to avoid congestion, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.
The Saudi General Authority said crowd levels at the Grand Mosque vary throughout the day.
Pilgrims have therefore been advised to choose suitable times in advance, particularly for performing Tawaf and Sa’i, to make movement in the Mataf and Mas’a areas easier.
According to the authority, the Grand Mosque generally experiences relatively lighter crowds from 10 pm to 4 am and from 9 am to 4 pm.
Crowd levels are moderate between 5 am and 8 am, while the busiest period is from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Authorities have urged pilgrims to plan their visits in advance and make use of the digital services available at the Grand Mosque, including live crowd updates, to choose the most suitable time for their rituals.
They said planning Tawaf and Sa’i during less crowded periods could help reduce congestion, improve movement, and allow pilgrims to perform their rituals more comfortably.
According to the report, around 920,500 Umrah pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia during the first month and a half of the current Umrah season.
Figures released last month also showed a 22.5% increase in the number of pilgrims entering the Kingdom on Umrah visas.
With the number of pilgrims continuing to grow, authorities said advance planning has become an important part of ensuring a smoother pilgrimage experience.