Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — More than 2.5 million worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque on Friday to perform Isha and Taraweeh prayers on the 29th night of Ramadan, marking the Qur’an completion ceremony (Khatm Al-Qur’an) in a deeply spiritual and peaceful atmosphere.

From the early morning hours, the Grand Mosque witnessed a continuous flow of Umrah pilgrims and worshippers filling its courtyards, prayer halls, and the Mataf area.

The Kingdom's meticulous preparations and expansive services allowed worshippers to perform their rituals with ease, comfort, and safety under the guidance of the wise leadership.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque mobilized its full capacity in coordination with relevant authorities to manage the massive influx.

Worshippers were directed efficiently to the Mataf, designated prayer areas, and routes dedicated to elderly people and individuals with disabilities.

Guidance signage was strategically placed to ease access to facilities and services.

The authority intensified operations in cleaning, sanitization, and perfuming of the mosque, deploying specialized equipment, while maintaining round-the-clock readiness of restrooms, over 33,000 prayer rugs, and continuous availability of both chilled and unchilled Zamzam water.

Advanced logistical support was in place with operational elevators, escalators, and over 1,300 sound system speakers. The electric golf carts and manual carts were linked through the “Tanaqul” app, streamlining mobility for those in need.

A trained team managed crowd movement, ensuring a smooth flow throughout the mosque. More than 3,500 male and female workers carried out five daily cleanings of the entire Grand Mosque, monitored by supervisors ensuring operations ran at full capacity.

Emergency response systems were on high alert, with checks on fire alarms, ventilation systems, and pedestrian safety routes.

The Authority also implemented a weather-monitoring system to act immediately during rainfall or other climate changes.

Integrated plans were in place for guiding crowds, with clearly marked pathways, trained pedestrian guides providing multilingual assistance, and volunteers helping worshippers navigate the vast mosque complex.