New guidance for Umrah pilgrims to avoid peak hours at Grand Mosque

The Saudi General Authority said crowd levels change throughout the day, making advance planning important for visitors.

Best times to perform rituals

Pilgrims have been encouraged to plan Tawaf and Sa’i during quieter periods to make movement easier in the Mataf and Mas’a areas.

According to the authority, crowds are generally lighter from 10 pm to 4 am and from 9 am to 4 pm.

Crowd levels are considered moderate between 5 am and 8 am, while the busiest period is usually from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Pilgrims can therefore avoid the busiest hours by choosing a suitable time before heading to the Grand Mosque.

Digital services can help

Saudi authorities have urged pilgrims to use available digital services to check live crowd updates before visiting the Grand Mosque.

These services can help visitors select a less crowded time and plan their rituals more comfortably.

Planning Tawaf and Sa’i during quieter hours may reduce congestion and make movement easier for pilgrims.

The guidance is particularly important as the number of Umrah visitors continues to increase.

Umrah numbers continue to rise

Around 920,500 Umrah pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia during the first month and a half of the current Umrah season, according to the report.

Figures released last month also showed a 22.5% increase in the number of pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas.

The rising number of visitors is putting greater importance on proper planning and crowd management at the Grand Mosque.

Authorities are encouraging pilgrims to consider crowd levels when deciding when to perform their rituals.

The new guidance is mainly aimed at making the Umrah experience safer and more comfortable. Avoiding peak hours could help pilgrims spend less time dealing with heavy crowds and movement restrictions.

The advice also shows how digital services can help visitors plan their rituals according to real-time conditions. As Umrah numbers continue to grow, choosing the right time could make a noticeable difference for pilgrims.

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