Record numbers expected in last 10 days of Ramadan prompt authorities to issue new guidelines

Saudi Arabia's two holiest cities are expected to welcome a significant influx of worshippers during the last ten days of Ramadan, prompting authorities to issue a fresh set of directives.

The kingdom's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued guidelines to ensure a seamless Umrah experience for multitudes of worshippers expected to gather in Makkah during the last 10 days of the month.

"During the last ten nights, blessings multiply and the crowds at the Haram grow - making it even more important to follow the rules and guidelines that help ease congestion," the ministry wrote on socia media platform X on March 20. 

The ministry urged pilgrims to perform Umrah only once during this period and encouraged people to pray in other mosques across Makkah as well. 

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque reported that more than 25 million people gathered for prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah during the first ten days of Ramadan, with over 5.5 million performing Umrah. 

To manage this heightened activity, Makkah Municipality has mobilized 13,549 workers, 912 cleaning machines, and 87,000 waste containers, supported by transitional stations and compactors. Additionally, over 11,000 personnel are tasked with managing movement within the Grand Mosque, while 4,000 staff members oversee cleaning operations, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. 

In Madinah, city buses transported more than 850,000 people to the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque in the first 20 days of Ramadan - an increase of more than 72% over the same period last year.

Multiple routes connect worshippers and visitors from various districts to these central sites.
The General Presidency facilitated the distribution of more than 10.8 million Iftar meals and over 10.2 million date packets at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque by the midpoint of Ramadan. 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar marked by Muslims worldwide as a period of reflection, fasting, prayer and community.