Authorities in Makkah have urged Umrah pilgrims to plan their visits around the Grand Mosque's busiest hours, releasing a guide to crowd levels that pilgrims can use to time their rituals more comfortably. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque said the guidance is intended to smooth movement in the Mataf, the area for circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba, and the Masaa, where pilgrims perform sai between Safa and Marwah.

The advice comes during a busy 1448 AH Umrah season, with large numbers of pilgrims arriving from around the world. By spreading demand more evenly across the day, the authority hopes to ease congestion at the mosque's most sensitive points and help pilgrims complete their rites in ease and comfort.

When the Grand Mosque is busiest

According to the authority, crowd density at the Grand Mosque follows a predictable daily pattern. Pilgrims who can be flexible with their timing are encouraged to choose the quieter windows.

  • Low density: from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  • Moderate density: from 5:00 am to 8:00 am.
  • High density: from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The evening hours are the most crowded, as many pilgrims prefer to perform tawaf and sai after the afternoon heat eases. The late-night and midday windows, by contrast, tend to be far calmer, offering more space in the Mataf and along the Masaa.

Why timing matters for Umrah

The Mataf and the Masaa are the two areas where pilgrims spend the most time performing the core rites of Umrah. During peak hours these spaces can become dense, which can be tiring for elderly pilgrims, families with children and those with limited mobility.

Choosing a quieter window can make tawaf and sai calmer and safer, giving pilgrims room to focus on their worship and supplications. It can also reduce waiting times and make it easier to move between levels of the mosque. The authority frames the guidance as part of ongoing efforts to regulate movement and improve the overall experience for pilgrims and visitors at Islam's holiest site.

Spreading demand across the day also benefits the wider crowd. When pilgrims avoid concentrating in the same hours, the pressure on gates, escalators and the walkways connecting the mosque's levels eases, which helps stewards keep the flow orderly and lowers the risk of crushing during the busiest moments.

Combining the guidance with other services

The crowd-density guide sits alongside a broader set of measures aimed at organising movement within the Grand Mosque. These include designated routes, interactive maps and digital services that help pilgrims find gates, facilities and the least congested paths. Pilgrims are also reminded that Umrah permits are issued through the Nusuk app, and that following official schedules helps keep the flow of worshippers orderly.

Heat is another factor to weigh when timing a visit. With Saudi Arabia forecasting a hotter-than-normal August, the cooler late-night and early-morning hours may be more comfortable for those performing rituals outdoors in the courtyards.

Practical tips for pilgrims

  • Aim for the quiet windows: Plan tawaf and sai for late night (10:00 pm to 4:00 am) or midday (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) when density is lowest.
  • Avoid the evening rush: Where possible, keep clear of the 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm peak, especially if travelling with children or elderly relatives.
  • Build in flexibility: If your schedule allows, keep your ritual timing adaptable so you can shift to a calmer hour.
  • Stay hydrated and shaded: During the hot season, favour cooler hours, drink water regularly and use an umbrella in the open courtyards.
  • Follow staff directions: Cooperate with stewards and observe posted routes to help keep the Mataf and Masaa moving smoothly.

By planning around these patterns, pilgrims can perform their Umrah with greater calm and comfort, while helping the authority manage the steady flow of worshippers through the Grand Mosque during one of the busiest periods of the year.