“A Saudi government agency responsible for overseeing Islam’s two holiest sites has reportedly agreed to explore the division of the Grand Mosque into coded zones, aiming to enhance access for worshippers and facilitate navigation within the vast complex.
The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques signed the agreement with the Saudi Postal and Logistics Company during a conference on services related to the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage.
This initiative seeks to define specific geographical locations within the Grand Mosque and its surrounding areas, providing clear guidance for worshippers and staff. The agreement also aims to optimize the allocation and performance of personnel based on accommodation and operational capacity, ensuring the highest standards of service across the mosque.
The Grand Mosque in Makkah, home to the Holy Ka’aba, attracts millions of Muslims annually for prayers and Umrah. Last year, the number of Umrah pilgrims reached a record 13.5 million, according to Saudi Minister of Haj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah.
Saudi Arabia has recently introduced various facilities for Umrah pilgrims, allowing visa holders to enter the kingdom through all land, air, and sea outlets. In a further easing measure, Saudi citizens can now apply to invite their friends from abroad to visit the kingdom and perform Umrah. Additionally, women pilgrims are no longer required to be accompanied by male guardians, and expatriates in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries can apply for a tourist visa to perform Umrah, irrespective of their profession.”