Pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah can now put their questions about worship directly to scholars through a new round-the-clock telephone service available in 11 languages. The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched a cloud-based call centre reachable on the toll-free number 8001222100.
The service was inaugurated by Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, as part of a wider drive to combine reliable religious guidance with modern technology during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Answers in the pilgrim's own language
The system is aimed at Umrah and Hajj pilgrims as well as general visitors to the Grand Mosque, giving them direct access to advisers who can answer questions on acts of worship and the correct performance of rituals. Offering the service in 11 world languages is intended to help non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims, who often face uncertainty over the fine details of Tawaf, Sa'i and other rites.
According to the Presidency, the cloud-based platform automatically connects each caller to the nearest available scholar, a design meant to cut waiting times and handle high call volumes during peak periods. The unified number operates around the clock, so pilgrims can seek guidance at any hour, including during the night when many perform their rituals.
Part of a broader digital push
The hotline is one of several technology-driven services the Presidency has rolled out to support worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques. These efforts sit alongside smart guidance platforms and digital channels that allow pilgrims to reach scholars and access enrichment content, reflecting a steady modernisation of religious services around the Grand Mosque.
Authorities have emphasised that the goal is to make authentic guidance easier to reach while preserving the sanctity and authenticity of the worship experience. For a mosque that receives millions of visitors across the year, a single toll-free line staffed by qualified scholars offers a scalable way to meet a constant stream of questions.
Why it matters for pilgrims
Many pilgrims travel to Makkah for the first time and may be unsure how to respond when something in their pilgrimage does not go to plan - a missed step, a doubt during Tawaf, or a question about what breaks the state of ihram. Having a free, immediate and multilingual point of contact can prevent small mistakes from becoming sources of anxiety.
The service also reduces the temptation to rely on unverified advice from fellow travellers or informal sources, directing questions instead to scholars working under the official Presidency.
Practical tips
Pilgrims are advised to save the toll-free number 8001222100 in their phones before travelling and to note that the line operates 24 hours a day. When calling, it helps to state the question clearly and simply, and to select the preferred language when prompted.
Those without local mobile service should ask their accommodation or group leader about calling the toll-free line, and can also look for the Presidency's on-site guidance desks and digital screens within the mosque as an alternative way to reach a scholar.