A sweeping digital transformation at the Grand Mosque in Makkah has cut pilgrim transit waiting times from around two hours to roughly nine minutes, as Saudi authorities push to make the sanctuary one of the world's smartest sites by 2030. The figures were reported by the Saudi Press Agency, citing officials from the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Saqr, the authority's deputy chief executive for digital transformation, said a smart mobility platform has automated transit services and integrated electronic booking and payment. According to the authority, that shift has slashed the time pilgrims spend waiting for transport from about two hours three years ago to approximately nine minutes during the most recent Hajj season.
Automation across services
The modernisation reaches well beyond transport. Officials said the Grand Mosque's iftar meal operations, which distribute more than 38 million meals with transaction values approaching 500 million Saudi riyals, have also been digitised to improve efficiency and oversight.
Administrative processes have seen some of the sharpest gains. Through automation, integration with the national Ehsan charity platform, and third-party oversight, administrative clearance times have reportedly fallen from eight days to about eight minutes. The authority framed the change as part of a broader effort to raise transparency and accountability in how services at the holy sites are managed.
Connected platforms and smart mapping
A platform known as "Rafed" now connects 18 government entities to address field reports, allowing issues raised at the sanctuary to be routed quickly to the responsible agency. An interactive digital mapping system handles roughly 600,000 cases each year, serving close to 10 percent of the six million annual visitors, the authority said.
These systems are designed to work together, giving administrators a real-time view of crowd movement, service requests, and operational needs across the mosque and its surrounding areas. The authority indicated it plans to expand the adoption of smart technology across both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.
The scale of the challenge is considerable. The Grand Mosque operates around the clock, and its services must adapt to sudden surges in worshippers during Ramadan, the Hajj season, and school holidays. By moving bookings, payments, and complaint handling onto connected digital systems, the authority says it can respond to problems faster and direct staff and resources where they are most needed, rather than relying on manual processes that struggle to keep pace with demand.
Part of a wider modernisation drive
The upgrades sit within Saudi Arabia's larger programme to modernise the management of the pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual gatherings. In recent seasons, authorities have rolled out digital permits through the Nusuk platform, expanded pre-clearance for arriving pilgrims, and introduced integrated service packages combining accommodation, transport, and catering.
Reducing bottlenecks matters most during peak periods, when millions of worshippers move through the sanctuary within a narrow window. Shorter waits for transport and faster handling of on-the-ground issues can ease crowding, improve safety, and give pilgrims more time for worship.
Saudi officials have repeatedly stressed that technology is meant to serve the spiritual purpose of the visit, not distract from it. The stated aim is to remove friction from the logistics of the pilgrimage - moving between sites, arranging meals, and resolving problems - so that worshippers can focus on their acts of devotion. Whether the Grand Mosque reaches its 2030 goal of becoming one of the world's smartest sites will depend on how these systems perform under the extraordinary pressures of the Hajj season.
Practical tips for pilgrims: Travellers heading to Makkah should download and set up the official Nusuk app before arrival, as many services, permits, and bookings are now handled digitally. Keep your visa and passport details ready when registering, and book time-sensitive permits, such as those for the Rawdah in Madinah, as early as slots open. During busy periods, follow official transport schedules and signage rather than seeking informal alternatives, and report any problems through the official channels so they can be resolved quickly. Carrying a charged phone and a power bank will help you access digital services throughout your journey.