The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has opened a summer enrichment exhibition at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, giving worshippers an interactive look at the history and services of the holy site. The exhibition ran from August 16 to 20, 2026, in the lobby of the Grand Mosque Library and welcomed visitors during the evening hours.

The display forms part of the summer programme at the Two Holy Mosques cultural and enrichment centre. It is designed to introduce pilgrims and visitors to the work carried out across different areas of care for the Grand Mosque, presented through modern and engaging methods.

A virtual reality dimension

A central feature of the exhibition is a technology experience delivered through virtual reality headsets. The VR content adds an interactive dimension to the material on display, presenting information in a way that draws visitors closer to the detail of services and activities connected to the Grand Mosque.

Organisers said the aim is to enrich the visitor experience and strengthen the cultural and knowledge-based side of a visit to Makkah, rather than to replace the spiritual focus of the pilgrimage. The approach reflects a wider trend across the Two Holy Mosques of using technology to explain the heritage and upkeep of the sites.

What is on display

The exhibition is organised into sections covering several aspects of the Grand Mosque's care. One section traces the development of the Kiswa, the black cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba. Another presents the tools used in the washing of the Kaaba, a ceremony carried out at set times each year.

A further section documents the development of the carpets used across the Grand Mosque, while a dedicated area explains the significance of Zamzam water. According to reports on the summer programme, the Zamzam display includes parts of the well's ancient mouth, a historic cover and a vertical model detailing the well's geological structure.

Alongside these, the exhibition showcases treasures associated with the Two Holy Mosques, including rare manuscripts and documentary material about Zamzam.

Part of a broader effort

The exhibition is one of several initiatives by the authority to combine education with modern technology at the Two Holy Mosques. The body has previously run architecture and heritage displays that trace centuries of expansion and care at the sites in Makkah and Madinah.

For many pilgrims, such exhibitions offer context that deepens their understanding of rituals they perform, from drinking Zamzam water to circling a Kaaba draped in a Kiswa whose production is itself a centuries-old craft.

Practical tips

Visitors to Makkah who wish to make the most of such enrichment activities should keep the following in mind:

  • Check timings and location. The summer exhibition was held in the Grand Mosque Library lobby during evening hours; similar displays are announced through the authority's official channels.
  • Combine it with a quieter visit. Evening cultural activities can pair well with off-peak times for tawaf and prayer.
  • Bring children along. Interactive and VR displays are an accessible way to teach younger family members about the Kaaba, the Kiswa and Zamzam.
  • Follow official sources. Dates and venues for enrichment programmes are published by the General Authority for the Two Holy Mosques, which is the most reliable place to confirm details.