Pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah can now check how crowded the Tawaf and Saai areas are before they set out. Saudi Arabia has launched a QR-code service that shows live crowd density for the Mataf, the marble area around the Kaaba, and the Masaa, the walkway between Safa and Marwah. The aim is to help worshippers choose quieter routes and less congested times for their rituals.
According to the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, the platform delivers continuously updated density indicators alongside smart guidance. The service was reported on 20 July 2026 by Hajj Reporters and Gulf News, citing the Saudi Press Agency.
How the service works
The tool is reached by scanning a QR code, after which a live dashboard displays how busy the Mataf and Masaa are at that moment. The information refreshes in real time. Pilgrims can use it to decide whether to begin Tawaf immediately, wait for numbers to fall, or approach from a less crowded direction.
The General Authority said the platform is designed to improve overall crowd flow, not only individual convenience. When worshippers spread their movements across quieter periods, pressure eases at the busiest points around the Kaaba. This reduces bottlenecks during peak hours such as after the five daily prayers, when large numbers gather to perform Tawaf at once.
The service sits within a wider push to bring technology into the two holy mosques. Saudi authorities have steadily added digital guidance, smart signage and sensor-based monitoring across the Haram in recent years, part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Vision 2030.
Why crowd data matters
The Mataf is the single most crowded space in the Islamic world during peak seasons. Millions perform Tawaf there each year, and the seven circuits require continuous movement in a confined ring. The Masaa carries similar volumes during Saai, when pilgrims walk seven lengths between Safa and Marwah.
Real-time density data gives pilgrims a practical way to avoid the tightest crushes. It is especially useful for elderly worshippers, families with children and those who are unwell, who benefit most from performing their rituals at calmer times. The upper floors and the rooftop of the Mataf, which are generally less crowded than the ground level, remain available to those who wish to spread out.
The launch reflects a broader shift in how the holy sites are managed. Rather than relying only on physical marshalling, authorities are giving pilgrims the information to regulate their own timing. Similar principles guide the Nusuk platform, which schedules Umrah permits into time slots to smooth demand across the day.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims heading to the Grand Mosque should look for the QR codes displayed at entrances and around the courtyards, and scan them before joining the Mataf. Checking the density reading first can save considerable time and effort.
The quietest windows for Tawaf are usually in the late night and pre-dawn hours, well away from the congregational prayers. If the ground-floor Mataf shows high density, pilgrims can move to the first floor or the rooftop, where the circuit is longer but far less crowded. Those performing Saai can apply the same approach, timing their walk between Safa and Marwah for off-peak periods.
Worshippers should keep their phones charged and consider saving the service for quick access during their stay. As always, patience and calm remain the best companions in crowded conditions, and pilgrims are reminded to avoid pushing near the Black Stone, where the temptation to crowd is strongest.
The tool complements, rather than replaces, the guidance of the Grand Mosque's marshals and security staff, who continue to direct movement on the ground. Pilgrims should follow their instructions at all times, since human guidance responds to conditions that a screen cannot always capture. Used together, live data and on-site direction give pilgrims the best chance of completing Tawaf and Saai safely and with presence of heart.