MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have issued important guidelines for Umrah pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque, advising them to plan Tawaf, Sa’i and other acts of worship during less crowded hours to ensure a smoother and more comfortable experience.
According to the Saudi General Authority, crowd levels at Masjid al-Haram vary throughout the day. Pilgrims have therefore been urged to select suitable times in advance to make movement around the Mataf and Mas’a areas easier.
Authorities said crowd levels are relatively low from 10pm to 4am and from 9am to 4pm. Moderate crowds are generally expected between 5am and 8am, while the busiest period is from 5pm to 9pm.
Pilgrims are advised to plan their prayer schedules and take advantage of the digital services provided at the Grand Mosque in order to determine the appropriate times for Tawaf and Sa’i.
The officials explained that such actions will allow them to choose times that are not so busy for them, which would result in reducing the congestion, as well as in comfortable performance of religious rituals. The measures are intended to provide order and peace among the worshippers.
It is reported that almost 920,500 Umrah pilgrims visited Saudi Arabia within the first month and a half of the ongoing Umrah season. Moreover, the data provided last month demonstrated the increase in the number of people visiting the Kingdom under Umrah visa by 22.5 percent.
As the number of pilgrims is increasing, the Saudi officials pay attention to planning ahead of time. It would allow pilgrims to choose times that will be convenient for them in order to perform religious rituals without problems.
