Children's Hospitality in the Two Holy Mosques: A free service for the comfort of pilgrims and visitors
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance services for pilgrims, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has established a safe and enriching environment for children through its childcare . This initiative provides a free service, supervised by qualified and specialized staff, ensuring the safety of children and allowing their families to perform their religious duties with ease and comfort.
A qualitative leap in services for pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques
The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are no longer merely the performance of rituals; thanks to the Kingdom's developmental vision, they have transformed into a comprehensive spiritual experience characterized by comfort and tranquility. Historically, families faced significant challenges when bringing children to the crowded areas of the Two Holy Mosques, which could affect their focus and devotion or expose them to the dangers of overcrowding and getting lost. Therefore, the establishment of these centers is part of a comprehensive development in the system for serving pilgrims, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes the comfort of pilgrims and visitors, transforming past challenges into innovative and modern solutions.
Locations of childcare centers in the Two Holy Mosques and how they operate
The Authority ensured the strategic distribution of the centers for easy access. In the Grand Mosque, there are two seasonal childcare centers located in the Third Saudi Expansion near Gate 100 and Gate 104. In the Prophet's Mosque, there is a permanent center operating year-round in the northern courtyard opposite Gate 25. These centers operate 24 hours a day and are staffed by qualified and trained female employees who utilize the latest care methods and operational techniques to guarantee a safe environment and professional care for every child.
The operations are managed by a female team trained in modern operational procedures and early childhood education techniques. Registration is done electronically through the dedicated system or by the center's reception teams. To ensure maximum security, each child is given an identification bracelet containing their information and that of their guardian. The child is only released after verifying that the information matches, thus providing a robust security system.
The social and spiritual impact of service
These centers are of paramount importance, extending far beyond simply providing care; they directly contribute to fostering a sense of security among visitors. When parents are reassured that their children are in safe hands and within a pleasant learning environment, it positively impacts their children's spiritual well-being, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to worship and prayer without worry. Internationally, this service reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's keen attention to the smallest details of visitor comfort from around the world, setting a global standard for crowd management and family care in holy sites.
Innovative enrichment and educational programs
The centers target boys aged 3 to 8 and girls aged 3 to 9, offering them a blend of education and entertainment. Activities include interactive games that simulate educational stories such as the story of the Zamzam Well and the Hajj pilgrimage, as well as Quran recitation and Makkah-based recitation sessions. The center also features an engaging learning environment to introduce children to the Hajj rituals, including a game of Mount Arafat and Jamarat al-Aqaba for a practical experience of the stoning ritual.
The services are complemented by the provision of healthy meals, equipped sleeping rooms, interactive screens, comprehensive surveillance cameras, and smart doors to control entry and exit, making the Haramain Children’s Hospitality a model to be emulated in institutional care.
