Free Tahallul service at the Grand Mosque in Mecca: Comfort and safety for 360,000 pilgrims
Comprehensive development of services for pilgrims at the Grand Mosque
In a move reflecting its ongoing commitment to the comfort of pilgrims and facilitating their rituals, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced the enhancement of its free service for completing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah (shaving or trimming the hair). This initiative is part of its operational plan for the holy month of Ramadan, which witnesses millions of pilgrims and visitors. Twelve fully equipped mobile units have been deployed to provide the service, aiming to serve over 360,000 pilgrims in a healthy and safe environment with unprecedented operational efficiency.
Historical context and importance of the ritual of dissolution
The completion of Umrah, whether by shaving the head for men or trimming the hair for both men and women, is the final act of the pilgrimage, marking the end of the state of Ihram. Historically, this process was carried out in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque by barbershops or even unlicensed individuals, posing organizational and health challenges, especially during peak times. The mobile cart initiative emerged as a radical and innovative solution to these challenges, bringing the service directly to pilgrims at strategic locations and ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and sterilization, thus contributing to the preservation of public health and the civilized appearance of the central area.
Operational efficiency and a direct impact on the pilgrim's experience
The new service is distinguished by its exceptional operational efficiency, with the average waiting time for a pilgrim not exceeding four minutes, while the ritual removal itself takes less than two minutes. To ensure easy access, the 12 carts (10 for men and 2 for women) have been strategically placed at key points along the pilgrims' route after completing the Sa'i (ritual walking between Safa and Marwa), such as the Bab al-Marwa area and the eastern courtyard adjacent to the Al-Qashashiyah restrooms. This well-planned distribution prevents overcrowding and provides a quick and convenient solution, leaving a profoundly positive impact on the pilgrim and enriching their spiritual experience by eliminating any inconvenience they might encounter in completing their rituals.
In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and its global impact
This initiative aligns directly with the objectives of the “Guests of God Service Program,” one of the key programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims and Umrah performers and offer a unique spiritual experience. Providing high-quality, free services with this level of organization and efficiency reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader of the Islamic world and reflects the scale of investment and effort invested in crowd management and the provision of the highest quality services at the Two Holy Mosques. Internationally, these projects send a clear message about the Kingdom’s commitment to harnessing all its technological and human resources to serve Muslims from around the world, further enhancing its reputation as a safe, organized, and advanced religious destination.
