The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's procedures to control crowd movement with 188 pilgrims
has approved The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah a comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines for transportation and grouping services for pilgrims during the 1447 AH Hajj season. This package includes operational updates and oversight procedures aimed at improving crowd management efficiency and ensuring the smooth flow of pilgrims between the holy sites and the Grand Mosque, while imposing specific requirements on service providers and Hajj affairs offices.
The evolution of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's efforts in crowd management throughout history
Over the decades, managing millions of pilgrims within a limited geographical area and a short timeframe has posed a significant challenge. Historically, the Holy Sites have witnessed tremendous infrastructure development, from the expansion of the Jamarat Bridge and the construction of the Al-Mashaaer Metro to the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence. These new organizational measures are an extension of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts, since its founding, to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to continuously updating its plans based on thorough field studies to prevent any incidents or stampedes that could disrupt this great ritual.
Strict operational controls and penalties
The Ministry emphasized in its document that the success of the Hajj season is directly linked to the precise implementation of transportation and crowd management plans, given the large number of pilgrims and the limited space within the holy sites. This necessitates a high level of coordination between government agencies and service companies. The instructions revealed clear operational violations related to pilgrim movement times; transporting pilgrims from Mecca to Jeddah more than nine hours before their scheduled departure is considered a violation, as is transporting them less than six hours late. Furthermore, transportation from Mecca to Medina is prohibited between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, and any delay of more than one hour in transporting pilgrims to and from the Haramain High-Speed Railway station is considered an operational violation warranting disciplinary action.
4 main stages of the movement of pilgrims
The Ministry outlined four main phases for pilgrims' needs and transportation plans: the Tarwiyah (the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah) from Mecca to Mina, the ascent to Arafat, the movement between Mina and the Grand Mosque during the days of Tashreeq, and the departure from Mina to Mecca on the 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. The Ministry also mandated that Hajj affairs offices contract with accredited transportation companies to organize the movement of pilgrims between their accommodations and the Grand Mosque, dividing them into two shifts, morning and evening, with 50% of pilgrims allocated to each shift to alleviate overcrowding at transportation hubs, especially during peak days and on Fridays.
A precise mechanism for distributing groups of 188 pilgrims
As part of crowd management efforts, the Ministry established a precise mechanism for distributing pilgrims within the organized grouping system. Each group consists of 188 pilgrims, with each of these groups comprising five groups, totaling 940 pilgrims. The group supervisor is tasked with both on-site and electronic oversight of the movement of these groups and with addressing any operational deviations immediately. Instructions also emphasized the necessity for service providers to develop training programs for grouping personnel and to coordinate with Hajj affairs offices to qualify guides and assistant group leaders.
Strategic dimensions and expected impact of the new regulations
These regulatory measures are of paramount importance and have a far-reaching impact on several levels. Locally, they contribute to easing the burden on infrastructure, security personnel, and healthcare in Mecca and the Holy Sites, thereby enhancing the quality of services provided. Regionally and internationally, these steps reflect the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to providing a global model for managing massive crowds. The success of these plans sends a reassuring message to millions of Muslims worldwide and to countries sending Hajj delegations, confirming that the Kingdom is harnessing all its technological and human resources to ensure the safe return of pilgrims to their countries, thus reinforcing Saudi Arabia's soft power and leading position in the Islamic world.
Requirements for the arrival circumambulation and bus readiness
Among the most prominent instructions is the requirement for service providers to keep 50% of the total number of pilgrims in Mina until the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, in order to alleviate pressure on the ritual sites. The instructions also stipulated that the Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival circumambulation) must be performed within eight hours of arriving at accommodation in Mecca, through prior booking. Furthermore, the instructions stated that the last day for pilgrims to arrive will be the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. The Ministry emphasized the necessity of beginning the boarding of pilgrims onto buses and ensuring their readiness for departure within a maximum of three hours, while providing guides on board to guarantee adherence to designated routes and the immediate reporting of emergencies to enhance safety and organization.
