The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has officially announced the completion of its operational preparations for the upcoming Hajj 1447 AH / 2026 season. The comprehensive strategy is designed to maximize operational efficiency, ensure smooth crowd management, and provide top-tier, secure services for pilgrims.
Streamlined Guidance and Enhanced Field Services
As part of its modernization efforts, the Authority has activated advanced guiding systems and interactive digital maps across the holy sites. To support non-Arabic speaking pilgrims, field guidance teams have been heavily deployed and equipped with simultaneous interpretation devices operating across multiple languages.
Logistical services have also seen significant upgrades, including the streamlined distribution of Zamzam water, optimization of the prayer rug layouts, maintenance of manual and electric wheelchairs, and overall facility upkeep. The Authority emphasized that it has implemented real-time mechanism to measure pilgrim satisfaction, ensuring dynamic adjustments can be made to improve field performance during the peak days of the pilgrimage.
Centralized Engineering and Emergency Control
The entire infrastructure will be managed via an integrated operational model backed by the Engineering Command and Control Center. This specialized center is tasked with continuous performance monitoring, supervising preventative maintenance schedules, and delivering immediate, synchronized responses to any field emergencies or technical bottlenecks.
Saudi Supreme Court Issues Dhul-Hijjah Crescent Sighting Call
In a concurrent development, the Saudi Supreme Court has urged all Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the crescent moon of the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026 (corresponding to the 29th of Dhul-Qadah 1447 AH according to the Umm al-Qura calendar).
The official statement requested that anyone who sights the crescent moon—whether with the naked eye or through binoculars—report to the nearest local court to register their testimony, or contact the nearest administrative center to be guided to an official court authority.
The Supreme Court also encouraged citizens and residents with astronomy skills to join the regional committees formed across various provinces for this purpose, emphasizing the collective religious significance of accurately determining the start of the month for the performance of the Hajj rituals.
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