Makkah: The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has revealed that the average time required to perform Umrah during Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 AH stood at 116 minutes, reflecting a smoother and more organized pilgrim experience.
According to a detailed survey conducted by the authority, nearly 92% of pilgrims completed Tawaf within the Mataf area the central courtyard surrounding the Holy Kaaba. The report further indicated that Tawaf took an average of 42 minutes, while Sa’i between Safa and Marwah required around 46 minutes to complete.
On average, pilgrims spent 15 minutes moving from the mosque’s outer courtyards to the Mataf, and an additional 13 minutes traveling from the Mataf to the Al-Mas’a area. Officials noted that the duration of Tawaf in the Mataf remains noticeably shorter than in other parts of the mosque, owing to well-coordinated crowd management and operational efficiency.
The authority credited these improvements to enhanced administrative measures that have streamlined the movement of worshippers, reduced congestion, and ensured greater comfort for visitors. It reaffirmed its commitment to continuously monitoring the flow of pilgrims within the Grand Mosque to facilitate an experience marked by ease, safety, and spiritual focus.
In its statement, the authority also highlighted that reserving the Mataf area exclusively for Umrah pilgrims has played a crucial role in minimizing crowding, while upper levels have been designated for those performing Tawaf alone. These steps, it said, are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the overall organization and serenity of the pilgrimage experience.
