Riyadh: Saudi Arabia recorded more than 53.5 million worshippers and Umrah pilgrims at the Two Holy Mosques during the month of Rabi Ul Awwal 1447 AH, according to the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, as per a report by the Saudi Gazette.
At the Grand Mosque in Makkah, a total of 17,560,004 worshippers were reported. Among them, 91,753 prayed at Hijr Ismail (Al-Hateem), while 12,146,516 performed Umrah.
Meanwhile, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah received 20,701,560 visitors, including 1,002,049 offering prayers in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa and 2,071,101 extending greetings to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his two Companions.
The authority highlighted the deployment of advanced technology systems, including sensor readers at mosque entrances, to monitor the flow of worshippers and improve crowd management. These measures were implemented in partnership with various agencies to ensure smooth operations.
Earlier this year, Saudi authorities reported that during the first quarter of 2025, the number of Umrah pilgrims across the Kingdom had reached 15,222,497.
Umrah, unlike Haj, is a non-mandatory pilgrimage that can be performed throughout the year. Haj, on the other hand, is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are able, and it occurs during a specific time annually.
