Map of the gates of the Grand Mosque in Ramadan: Your guide to entering and exiting
With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the hearts of millions of Muslims turn towards Mecca to perform Umrah and Taraweeh prayers, necessitating exceptional preparations by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. In this context, a detailed organizational plan has been announced, including the designation of specific gates for each category of visitors to the Grand Mosque, with the aim of ensuring smooth flow of movement and providing the utmost comfort and tranquility for all pilgrims.
The Kingdom's efforts in developing the entrances to the Grand Mosque in Mecca
The organization of entry and exit at the Grand Mosque in Mecca is not a recent development, but rather the culmination of decades of engineering and architectural development at the heart of the Muslim world. From the first Saudi expansions to the monumental third expansion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been committed to increasing the number of gates and bridges and equipping them with the latest technologies and escalators. These efforts are designed to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who visit annually, transforming crowd management at the Grand Mosque into a global model for managing large numbers of people in limited spaces. This reflects the leadership's commitment to serving the pilgrims and facilitating their spiritual journey.
A guide to the gates of the Grand Mosque designated for pilgrims and worshippers
To prevent overcrowding and facilitate access to the Mataf area or the upper prayer areas, specific gates have been allocated for each category, and the approved distribution for the month of Ramadan is as follows:
First: Gates and bridges designated for pilgrims
Main entrances have been designated that lead directly to the circumambulation routes to facilitate the Umrah rituals:
- King Abdulaziz Gate: Number 1.
- King Fahd Gate: Number 79.
- Umrah Gate: (Main Entrance).
- Bab al-Salam: Number 19.
- Entrance bridges: Al-Shabika Bridge (No. 64 - First Floor), and Ajyad Bridge (No. 7 - First Floor).
Second: Doors designated for the entry of worshippers
Entrances for worshippers were sorted to direct them to prayer areas and arcades, away from the crowded circumambulation paths:
- Via bridges and stairs: Ajyad Bridge, Marwa Bridge, Safa Bridge, Arqam Staircase, and escalators numbers (74, 84, 91).
- Through the ground floor doors: Doors numbered (69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 89, 90, 114, 121, 123).
Third: Entrances designated for women's prayer areas
In consideration of privacy and to facilitate the movement of the sisters, the following doors have been designated: (70, 85, 86, 87, 89).
Fourth: Services for people with disabilities
The plan paid special attention to people with disabilities and the elderly by allocating accessible pathways:
- Doors: (68، 69، 89، 93، 94، 114، 123).
- The equipped bridges: Al Marwa Bridge, Arabat Al Shubaika Bridge, Ajyad Bridge, and Al Safa Bridge.
Fifth: Funeral and Emergency Doors
- For funerals: Gate No. 7 (leading to the funeral prayer area).
- Exit only: Door number 5.
- For emergencies: Chapter 13 and Chapter 14.
Crowd management strategy and its impact on visitor tranquility
This meticulous organization is of paramount importance, extending far beyond simply opening and closing gates; it represents a fundamental pillar of the security and safety system within the Holy Mosque. Designated pathways help separate crowds, minimizing stampedes and congestion, especially during peak times before Maghrib, Isha, and Taraweeh prayers. This organization also contributes to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to facilitate the hosting of more pilgrims while preserving the quality of the spiritual experience, enabling every visitor to perform their worship in an atmosphere of tranquility and devotion.
