Saudi Arabia Limits Number of Umrah During Last 10 Days of Ramadan

As Ramadan nears its end, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced updated operational guidelines to facilitate a seamless and spiritually enriching Umrah experience for the millions of worshippers expected in Makkah during the last ten days of the holy month.

With peak crowds gathering, the Ministry has urged pilgrims to strictly follow organizational procedures to maintain both safety and serenity. An infographic released by the Ministry emphasized the need for pilgrims to secure Umrah permits in advance and adhere to their designated timings to ease congestion around the Grand Mosque.

To manage overcrowding, worshippers have been encouraged to perform Umrah only once during this period and to offer daily prayers in various mosques across Makkah rather than solely within the Haram. Additionally, the Ministry recommended the use of public transportation to reduce vehicular congestion and advised against blocking passageways and stairwells to ensure smooth movement for fellow pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has enhanced its operational readiness to accommodate the surge in visitors. A comprehensive service plan has been launched, covering sanitation, crowd management, environmental hygiene, and accessibility improvements.

Thousands of staff and advanced equipment have been deployed to maintain cleanliness, manage crowds, and provide essential services such as Zamzam water distribution, perfumed prayer spaces, and logistical support, including carts and escalators. Authorities reported that the entire mosque can now be sanitized within just 35 minutes, while over 20 rounds of perfuming using more than two kilograms of oud are conducted daily. The facility has also prepared 428 escalators, 28 elevators, and over 1,300 electric speakers, alongside cooling systems with a total energy capacity of 90,000 tons.

Special accommodations have been made for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, including designated prayer areas, luggage storage, and a 24/7 childcare center to enhance visitor comfort.

Additionally, new arrangements have been introduced for Itikaf—the spiritual retreat observed during the last ten nights of Ramadan. A unified digital platform for transportation reservations has also been launched to streamline pilgrim mobility throughout the city.