The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced its operational plan for regulating the use of the Grand Mosque's gates during the holy month of Ramadan, which witnesses the arrival of millions of pilgrims and visitors from around the world. This plan is part of a comprehensive system of services aimed at ensuring the comfort and safety of those visiting the Grand Mosque, and facilitating their entry and performance of their rituals with ease and tranquility.
Historical context and the importance of crowd management in the Holy Sanctuary
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, places paramount importance on managing and organizing the affairs of the Grand Mosque, especially during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj. Over the decades, the Grand Mosque has undergone massive expansion projects, most notably the Third Saudi Expansion, aimed at increasing its capacity and developing its infrastructure to accommodate the growing numbers of pilgrims and Umrah performers. Gate management is a vital element of the crowd management strategy, contributing to the balanced distribution of people, preventing stampedes, and ensuring smooth movement within the courtyards of the Grand Mosque, the circumambulation area (Mataf), and the area between Safa and Marwa (Mas'a).
The importance of the plan and its expected impact
Organizing entry and exit through designated gates is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, this organization ensures the coordination of efforts among all entities operating within the Holy Mosque, from security forces to medical and service teams, thus enhancing the efficiency of response to any emergency. Internationally, the successful management of these massive crowds reflects positively on the Kingdom's ability to organize the world's largest religious gatherings and enriches the spiritual experience of visitors, leaving a lasting positive impression on the millions of Muslims who flock to the Holy Land. This aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in serving the pilgrims.
Details of the organization of the gates of the Grand Mosque
To ensure the achievement of the desired goals, the Authority has allocated specific gates for each category of visitors to the Holy Mosque, as follows:
Gates and bridges designated for the entry of pilgrims
- King Abdulaziz Gate No. 1.
- King Fahd Gate No. 79.
- The door to Umrah.
- Bab al-Salam No. 19.
- Al-Shabika Bridge 64 (First Floor).
- Ajyad Bridge No. 7 (First Floor).
Doors designated for the entry of worshippers
- Bridges and stairs: Ajyad Bridge – Al Marwa Bridge – Al Safa Bridge – Al Arqam Staircase – Staircase 74 – Staircase 84 – Staircase 91.
- Doors: Door 69 – 70 – 71 – 72 – 73 – 89 – 90 – 114 – 121 – 123.
Doors leading to women's prayer areas
The following doors have been designated to facilitate women’s access to the prayer areas designated for them: Doors 70, 85, 86, 87, and 89.
Doors and bridges designed for people with disabilities
- Doors: 68 – 69 – 89 – 93 – 94 – 114 – 123.
- Bridges: Al Marwa Bridge – Arabat Al Shubaika Bridge – Ajyad Bridge – Al Safa Bridge.
Doors designated for funerals and emergencies
- Chapter 7: For the funeral prayer area.
- Chapter 5: For Exit.
- Chapters 13 and 14: For emergencies only.
These precise regulations come to emphasize the great care taken to ensure the efficient organization of entry and exit movements, which directly contributes to providing a safe and comfortable environment for pilgrims and worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
