Pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah can now check how crowded the Mataf and Masa'a are before they begin their rituals. Saudi authorities have introduced a new digital service that displays real-time crowd levels across the mosque, helping worshippers choose calmer routes for Tawaf and Sa'i. The service is accessed by scanning a QR code with a smartphone.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced the tool in mid-July. According to the Authority, the platform combines live crowd density indicators with instant updates and smart guidance designed to ease movement and improve the overall experience of visitors.

How the service works

The platform tracks two of the busiest areas in the mosque. The first is the Mataf, the open marble area immediately around the Ka'bah where pilgrims perform Tawaf, the seven circuits made in worship. The second is the Masa'a, the corridor where pilgrims perform Sa'i, the walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah.

Both areas experience intense congestion during peak hours, particularly after the five daily prayers and late at night. By showing which zones are busy and which are clear, the service allows pilgrims to time their arrival and select a smoother path. According to the Authority, this helps visitors complete Tawaf and Sa'i with greater ease while contributing to more efficient crowd flow across the complex.

Access is deliberately simple. Pilgrims scan a QR code displayed within the mosque area using their phone camera, which opens a continuously updated view of crowd conditions. No separate account or lengthy setup is required, making it usable for first-time visitors and those unfamiliar with the layout of the Haram.

Part of a wider digital push

The crowd-tracking tool is the latest in a series of technology upgrades at the two holy mosques. In recent months the Authority has rolled out a smart navigation system to guide pilgrims through the Grand Mosque, along with interactive digital maps and earlier versions of crowd-monitoring technology introduced ahead of Ramadan.

These initiatives fall under Saudi Arabia's broader effort to manage the rising number of pilgrims arriving for Umrah and Hajj. The current Umrah season opened with a sharp increase in arrivals, placing added pressure on the Mataf and Masa'a during busy periods. Digital crowd management is intended to reduce bottlenecks, improve safety, and lower the risk of pilgrims becoming separated from their groups.

The Authority has framed the service as part of the Kingdom's national digital transformation goals, which aim to raise the quality of services offered to worshippers at both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

What it means for pilgrims

For those planning Umrah, the new service adds a practical layer to trip planning inside the mosque itself. Rather than entering the Mataf during its most crowded moments, a pilgrim can check the display and wait a short while for conditions to ease, or move to a less congested level. The Grand Mosque offers Tawaf on multiple floors, including the roof, and the crowd data can help pilgrims decide where to perform their circuits.

Practical tips for using the service:

  • Scan the QR code on arrival and check the Mataf and Masa'a levels before starting your rituals.
  • Consider performing Tawaf on the first floor or roof when the ground-level Mataf is shown as heavily crowded.
  • Avoid the busiest windows immediately after the five daily prayers if your schedule allows flexibility.
  • Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank, since you may rely on it for the QR service, the Nusuk app, and permits.
  • Elderly pilgrims and those with limited mobility can use the crowd data to plan quieter times, easing the walk between Safa and Marwah.

The tool does not replace the guidance of mosque staff, who continue to direct movement on the ground, especially during surges. Pilgrims are advised to follow official instructions at all times and treat the crowd display as a planning aid rather than a substitute for on-site directions.