Pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah can now check how busy the Mataf and Masa'a areas are before they begin their rituals. Saudi authorities have introduced a new digital service that displays live crowd levels in real time, helping worshippers pick quieter moments and less congested routes for Tawaf and Sa'i.

According to Gulf News, the service was rolled out in mid-July 2026 as the 1448 AH Umrah season gathered pace. It is the latest in a series of smart-technology tools designed to ease movement inside the world's largest mosque.

How the service works

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque said the platform provides live crowd density indicators and instant updates. Alongside these readings, it offers smart guidance intended to improve crowd management and smooth the experience of visitors performing their rituals.

The tool is accessed through a QR code. Once opened, it shows continuously updated information on how full the Mataf, the circular area around the Ka'bah used for Tawaf, and the Masa'a, the corridor between Safa and Marwah used for Sa'i, are at that moment.

The aim is simple. When pilgrims can see congestion before they set out, they can plan their timing, choose a calmer route, and complete Tawaf and Sa'i with less crowding. That, in turn, helps distribute foot traffic more evenly across the day and supports safer flow through the busiest parts of the mosque.

Part of a wider digital push

The crowd-tracking tool sits within a broader effort to bring technology into the daily running of the Two Holy Mosques. Earlier in the year, the Grand Mosque introduced a smart navigation system to guide pilgrims through the complex, and a crowd-monitoring service was piloted ahead of Ramadan. The new QR platform builds on those foundations.

These tools matter most during peak periods. The Grand Mosque can hold more than two million worshippers at the height of Hajj and Ramadan, and the Mataf and Masa'a are natural pinch points where large numbers of people move through a confined space. Real-time information gives pilgrims a way to avoid the tightest crushes and reduces the pressure on stewards managing the crowds.

The service also reflects the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program, both of which prioritise smoother arrivals, better information, and a more comfortable journey for guests of the Two Holy Mosques.

What pilgrims should know

The service is free and does not replace any existing permit requirement. Umrah performers still need to book their visit through the Nusuk app, which issues the electronic entry code required to enter the Grand Mosque. The crowd tracker is a planning aid on top of that, not a substitute for it.

Practical tips for using it well:

  • Check before you leave your hotel. Congestion shifts through the day, so a quick look at the live readings can help you time your visit around the busiest hours.
  • Favour off-peak windows. The hours after Fajr and late at night are often calmer than the periods immediately around the five daily prayers.
  • Keep the QR link handy. Save it on your phone so you can glance at conditions again once you are near the mosque.
  • Follow steward guidance. The live data supports the instructions of on-site staff and does not override them, especially at the busiest times.
  • Stay patient and unhurried. Tawaf and Sa'i are acts of worship. Choosing a quieter moment lets you perform them calmly rather than rushing through a crowd.

For pilgrims arriving during the busy opening weeks of the 1448 season, a few seconds spent checking the crowd levels could mean the difference between a hurried, shoulder-to-shoulder Tawaf and a calm, unhurried one.