Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome worshippers from around the world as they arrive in Makkah for Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. Pilgrims are set to break their fast in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque before heading to Madinah to visit the Prophet’s Mosque.
Government agencies have ramped up readiness, implementing crowd management plans to ensure a smooth flow of worshippers in and out of the Grand Mosque. Experts in Umrah affairs anticipate that the number of pilgrims will exceed 2 million, both from within the Kingdom and abroad, marking a significant increase from previous years.
Experts attribute the expected rise in Umrah pilgrims this Ramadan to three key factors: mild weather in Makkah, with daytime temperatures being around 30°C (86°F); the latest update to the Nusuk app, which now offers 100 additional services; and school holidays in many countries aligning with the holy month.
The surge in pilgrim numbers is already reflected in the hospitality sector. Makkah has over 1,100 hotels of varying categories, with occupancy rates near the Grand Mosque reaching 90% by Thursday, according to industry sources. Hotels located slightly farther from the central area are fully booked.
Saeed Al-Qurashi, an adviser to the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, told Asharq Al-Awsat that all indicators suggest a significant rise in Umrah pilgrims this Ramadan, exceeding 2 million. He attributed this to Makkah’s pleasant weather, high-quality services provided by operators, and school vacations coinciding with the holy month.
All sectors are working to facilitate the pilgrimage for Umrah worshippers, with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah closely monitoring arrivals from the moment they enter the country until their departure, said Al-Qurashi.
He noted that hotels in the Al-Shisha, Al-Aziziyah, and Al-Rawdah districts are fully booked, while occupancy rates in the central area near the Grand Mosque have reached 90%.
Ahead of the expected surge in pilgrim numbers, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud approved the 1446 H (2025) Umrah security plan, covering key areas such as security measures, traffic management, crowd control, humanitarian services, and coordination between participating agencies.
