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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
Grand Mosque Authority Sets Hijr Ismail Entry Times for Men and Women
Grand Mosque Authority Sets Hijr Ismail Entry Times for Men and Women | SPA MAKKAH, June 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has set daily entry times for men and women to Hijr Ismail at the Grand Mosque. The authority said women will be allowed to enter Hijr Ismail from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., while men will be allowed entry from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The designated sche
Jun 231 min read
Grand Mosque imam urges pilgrims to follow Hajj permit rules
Grand Mosque imam urges pilgrims to follow Hajj permit rules | Photography: SPA MAKKAH, May 22 — Grand Mosque Imam Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly urged pilgrims to comply with official Hajj regulations and warned against performing Hajj without a permit during Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque. Sheikh Al-Muaiqly said violating Hajj regulations causes harm to others and disrupts the organisation and safety of the pilgrimage. He also highlighted the spiritual significance of the firs
May 221 min read
Worshippers gather at Grand Mosque in Mecca for final nights of Ramadan prayers
SPA RIYADH, March 19, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Large numbers of worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on the night marking the end of Ramadan, performing late-night prayers in one of the busiest periods of the holy month. The mosque’s courtyards and prayer areas were filled with visitors who arrived early to take part in Tahajjud prayers during the final nights. Authorities implemented crowd management measures and operational plans to facilitate the mo
Mar 191 min read
Imams of Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque Call Muslims to Intensify Worship in Final Days of Ramadan
SPA Madinah / Makkah, March 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Imams of Islam’s two holiest mosques on Friday called on Muslims to increase worship and good deeds during the remaining days of the holy month of Ramadan. At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Hudhaifi urged worshippers to devote the last nights of Ramadan to prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, charity and remembrance of God, stressing the importance of sincerity in acts of
Mar 131 min read
Grand Mosque Expands Fragrance Operations During Ramadan
SPA Makkah, March 12, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque is intensifying fragrance and incense operations across the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramadan as part of its service plan for worshippers and Umrah performers. Corridors, courtyards and prayer areas of the Grand Mosque are regularly perfumed with traditional Arabian scents including oud oil, musk and amber to enhance the
Mar 122 min read
Maqam Ibrahim Remains One of the Most Significant Landmarks at the Grand Mosque
SPA Riyadh, March 10, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Maqam Ibrahim remains one of the most prominent religious and historical landmarks inside the Grand Mosque, symbolizing the story of the construction of the Kaaba. According to Islamic tradition, the stone bears the footprint marks of the Prophet Prophet Ibrahim, left while he was building the Kaaba with the help of his son Prophet Ismail. The Maqam holds a special place in Islamic belief and is referenced in the Qur’a
Mar 102 min read
Grand Mosque imam Al-Sudais says piety is central aim of Ramadan fasting
SPA Riyadh, February 27, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque today, Imam Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said Ramadan is a season to elevate the soul through piety, which he described as the ultimate goal of fasting. He said the essence of fasting is reflected in upright speech and righteous actions, and urged people to use the holy month to strengthen family ties and promote social solidarity, following the prophetic example. Al-Sudais s
Feb 271 min read
Saudi Arabia launches smart interactive map system for Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque
SPA Riyadh, February 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Chief Executive Officer of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Ghazi Al-Shahrani on Thursday inaugurated a new smart interactive map system for the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The smart interactive map is designed to facilitate the movement of visitors and pilgrims and improve navigation efficiency inside the two holy mosques. I
Feb 261 min read
Third Saudi Expansion of Grand Mosque supports worshippers with integrated services, authority says
SPA Makkah, February 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Third Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque continues to support worshippers and operations during peak periods, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques said. The expansion covers about 1,214,000 square metres and has a cooling capacity of 90,000 tons. Facilities include more than 25,000 carpets, 17,000 Zamzam water dispensers, 11,436 restrooms and ablution areas and 1,300 speaker
Feb 231 min read
Grand Mosque authority completes first phase of Daifi training program for wheelchair service workers
SPA Makkah, February 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque completed the first phase of the “Daifi” training programme for wheelchair service workers at the Grand Mosque during the Ramadan season of 1447 AH. The programme is part of efforts to enhance service quality for worshippers and improve field performance during peak seasons. The first phase included 49 training sessions ov
Feb 231 min read
Grand Mosque Imam urges active devotion and good deeds during Ramadan
SPA Makkah, February 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Imam Sheikh Abdullah Al-Juhani told worshippers in his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque that the Ramadan example set by Prophet Mohammed and his companions was defined by active devotion and good deeds, stressing that the purpose of fasting is to attain piety and protect one’s character from forbidden acts. Al-Juhani urged Muslims to observe Prophetic etiquette during the month, including hastening to break the fas
Feb 201 min read
Grand Mosque minarets in Makkah rise up to 137 meters, blending Islamic design with modern engineering
SPA Makkah, February 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Grand Mosque in Makkah has 13 minarets ranging in height from 98 to 137 meters, forming a skyline shaped by traditional Islamic design and modern engineering, with the towers positioned across major entrances. Each minaret follows a five-part structure consisting of a base, a primary balcony, a slender shaft, a secondary balcony and a crowning cap topped with a crescent moon. The minarets serve the religious fun
Feb 201 min read
Grand Mosque authority completes Ramadan operational preparations for Two Holy Mosques
SPA Riyadh, February 16, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has completed its operational and technical preparations for Ramadan 1447 AH under a comprehensive seasonal operational plan. The plan includes service and enrichment projects aimed at improving service quality, raising operational efficiency and meeting safety and reliability standards at the Two Holy Mosques. The plan ta
Feb 161 min read
Grand Mosque activates scientific program for Ramadan 1447 AH
SPA Mecca, February 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched its scientific program at the Grand Mosque for Ramadan 1447 AH, reinforcing the mosque’s role as a global center of Islamic knowledge. The initiative includes a comprehensive schedule of lessons and lectures delivered by esteemed scholars, covering Islamic sciences such as jurisprudence, creed, and the Prophet’s biography. T
Feb 141 min read
Saudi religious affairs presidency launches 1447 AH Ramadan operational plan for Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque
SPA Riyadh, January 30, 2026 (SABN) – The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched its 1447 AH Ramadan operational plan, aimed at enriching the spiritual experience of visitors and promoting the message of moderation. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, said the plan is a systematic, institutional response to the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of global visitors. He said the plan includes 100 in
Jan 301 min read
Grand Mosque authority deploys female guidance staff in Mataf area
SPA Makkah, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, through the Women’s Affairs Agency, is implementing an integrated operational framework in the Mataf area. The framework provides for the organised field deployment of female guidance staff at high-density locations, including Hijr Ismail and areas surrounding the Tawaf route, to ensure rapid access for female worshippers. The deployment fo
Jan 281 min read
Grand Mosque service network supports more than 300,000 Umrah performers and visitors daily
SPA Makkah, January 16, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – More than 300,000 Umrah performers and visitors receive daily support through an integrated services network at the Grand Mosque that brings together government entities, the non-profit sector and volunteers, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The direct services include guidance and orientation, assistance for the elderly and persons with disabilities, electric carts and wheelchairs, translation and multilingual c
Jan 161 min read
Smart counting systems help manage crowds at Grand Mosque, authority says
SPA Makkah, January 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Smart technologies have increased the efficiency of crowd management inside the Grand Mosque through counting systems that rely on sensors and real-time monitoring of visitor movement at gates and corridors, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said. The systems track entrants and exits with high accuracy, supporting pilgrim safety and improving the worship e
Jan 141 min read
Grand Mosque Authority Launches ‘Digital Mutawwif’ Platform for Umrah Pilgrims
SPA MAKKAH, December 16 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is offering the “Digital Mutawwif,” a platform designed to provide step-by-step guidance for Umrah rituals and enhance pilgrims’ experience at the Grand Mosque. The platform delivers a range of smart services, including interactive guidance to help visitors navigate the mosque’s layout, along with detailed ritual instructions, a
Dec 16, 20251 min read
Grand Mosque Authority Introduces Identification Bracelets to Enhance Child Safety
SPA Makkah, December 14 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has introduced identification bracelets for children arriving at the Grand Mosque, as part of measures to enhance visitor safety and facilitate prompt assistance in cases of separation. The bracelets include contact details for guardians, enabling staff to quickly identify and reunite children with their companions if they becom
Dec 14, 20251 min read
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