Over 60mn worshippers visit Islam’s two holiest sites in Muharram

More than 60 million people visited the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina during the month of Muharram in the Islamic year 1447 AH, according to the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The surge in pilgrim numbers comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand its religious tourism capacity, part of a broader strategy to position the sector as a driver of economic growth.

The Grand Mosque welcomed 27,531,599 worshippers, including 47,823 who prayed in the Hateem area of Hijr Ismail. Umrah pilgrims totaled 7,857,270 over the month. In Medina, the Prophet’s Mosque received 21,576,200 worshippers, with 1,122,368 praying in Al Rawdah Al Sharifah, and 2,110,375 visiting to offer greetings to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his two companions.

The authority said the figures reflect “ongoing efforts to ensure the ease, comfort, and spiritual tranquillity of visitors,” in line with directives from Saudi leadership. It reaffirmed its commitment to removing obstacles and further enhancing services at the two holy mosques.