The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced the allocation of a huge fleet of 8,000 diverse vehicles to serve the guests of God in the Grand Mosque, in a step aimed at facilitating the performance of rituals for the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with excuses among pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors.
Historical background of serving pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques
Serving pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques is a historical legacy and an integral part of the identity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Throughout history, methods of assisting pilgrims have evolved, from simple traditional means to the comprehensive service system we see today. This initiative is the latest link in the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to provide the utmost comfort and peace of mind to the guests of God, utilizing the latest technologies and global best practices in crowd management and humanitarian services.
The importance of the initiative and its impact within the framework of Vision 2030
This step is of paramount importance both locally and internationally. Locally, it contributes to enhancing the religious experience for millions of Muslims, ensuring their spiritual journey is easy and free from hardship. Internationally, it reflects the Kingdom's civilized image and underscores its leading role in serving Islam and Muslims. These efforts are directly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the capacity to receive pilgrims to 30 million by 2030, enriching their experience and providing high-quality services befitting the status of the Two Holy Mosques.
Details of the new vehicle system
The authority explained that this fleet is divided into two main types to meet different needs:
- 5000 handcarts: designated for free use and available at specific locations to ensure easy access.
- 3000 electric vehicles: These represent an advanced and convenient means of transportation, which can be booked in advance via the “Tanaqul” application, thus contributing to organizing the service and reducing waiting times.
Vehicle distribution locations and service points
In order to facilitate access to the service for beneficiaries, the Authority identified several strategic distribution points around the Grand Mosque:
- For handcarts: the eastern square (public transport entrance), the southern square (next to the King Abdulaziz Endowment), and the western square (Al-Shabika entrance).
- For electric vehicles: Four main entrances have been designated to access the service points on the mezzanine and first floor, namely: the eastern courtyard above the roof of Al-Qashashiyah, the southern courtyard via Ajyad Bridge, the western courtyard via Al-Shabika Bridge, in addition to the escalator at the Ajyad Gate.
Digital transformation and support services
In a move to keep pace with digital transformation, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has enabled the electronic booking of electric vehicles before arriving at the Grand Mosque in Mecca via the “Tanqul” app. Once the booking is complete, the vehicle awaits the user at designated service points, whether at the start of the Sa’i (ritual walking between Safa and Marwa) or on the mezzanine level at the beginning of the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba). In addition, the Presidency has provided a “vehicle pusher” service to assist the elderly and people with disabilities in key locations such as the Mataf (circumambulation area) and the ground-level Sa’i area, as well as free golf carts operating in the outer courtyards to transport worshippers and pilgrims between the various entrances to the Grand Mosque.
