5 advanced free centers to facilitate the storage of pilgrims' luggage
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques has announced a pioneering development initiative: the establishment of five state-of-the-art centers dedicated to serving the luggage of pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosques. This initiative coincides with the massive influx of visitors during the holy month of Ramadan. The strategic initiative aims to facilitate the movement of worshippers and pilgrims, enhance comfort and organization, and ensure smooth and easy access within the courtyards and facilities.
Historical development of services at the Two Holy Mosques
Over the decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great emphasis on developing services for pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. In the past, pilgrims faced challenges managing their personal belongings during the rituals, sometimes leading to overcrowding in the courtyards and obstructing pedestrian traffic. With the development of infrastructure and the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the Hajj and Umrah experience, services have transformed from temporary solutions into integrated logistics centers. The launch of these centers is part of this ongoing historical legacy of harnessing all available technological and human resources to serve Muslims from around the world.
The positive impact of organizing the storage of pilgrims' luggage
The importance of these centers extends beyond simply providing a secure space for belongings; their impact reaches far beyond that, achieving major organizational and security objectives. Locally, the luggage storage service for pilgrims helps reduce congestion in main corridors and courtyards, thus improving crowd management efficiency and minimizing potential risks. Regionally and internationally, the provision of free and advanced services reflects the Kingdom's exemplary image in caring for pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques and underscores its unwavering commitment to providing a safe and comfortable spiritual environment, leaving a positive impression on the millions of Muslims returning home.
Strategic locations in the Grand Mosque
To ensure maximum benefit, the Authority identified 4 vital centers in the Grand Mosque, which were distributed precisely and carefully to include the western courtyard behind Restroom No. 6, and Ajyad Street next to Restroom No. 1. The locations also included the eastern courtyard next to the Makkah Library, and the services building in the third Saudi expansion after Shooter 3. To enhance the efficiency of the service and speed of completion, the Authority allocated points for receiving luggage at main entrances including King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, Umrah Gate, and Gate 100.
Expansion of services at the Prophet's Mosque
In a related development, the Prophet's Mosque has recently opened a new, state-of-the-art luggage storage center, located between exits 365 and 366, to serve visitors and facilitate their movement in the surrounding courtyards. This center operates according to the highest organizational standards to ensure the safety of belongings and the speed of processing, in line with the anticipated increase in visitors during the holy month. All these centers operate with an integrated system that guarantees rapid access to services from all parts of the Prophet's Mosque.
Free Service Guidelines and Standards
To ensure the sustainability and quality of the service, the Authority confirmed that it is provided completely free of charge to all visitors and operates around the clock. The regulations stipulate a maximum storage period of four hours to guarantee service rotation and allow the largest possible number of worshippers and pilgrims to benefit. This service is an integral part of the Authority's series of development programs aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided at the Two Holy Mosques.
