Saudi Authority Designates Cart Locations for Umrah Pilgrims

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has designated a comprehensive network of locations for manually operated carts at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, a move aimed at easing the movement of Umrah performers, particularly the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The announcement, released through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), identifies both internal and external service points across the holy site, allowing worshippers to reserve carts through the Unified Transportation Platform by scanning a QR code or by booking directly at designated points in the courtyards.

The decision reflects the Kingdom’s continuing commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for the millions of Muslims who travel to Makkah each year. By organizing cart services into clearly defined internal and external zones, the authority is addressing one of the most practical challenges facing Umrah performers: navigating the vast, multi-level spaces of the Grand Mosque with comfort and dignity. The designated locations span the ground floor and first floor of the Saa’i area, the Mataf area at multiple levels, and several points outside the mosque, including the Jarwal Tunnel, Ali Gate, the Ajyad area, Al-Misfalah, and Al-Shubaika near the Jabal Omar entrance.

Context and Background

Why does the precise placement of manual carts matter so much in the broader story of Makkah’s transformation? The Grand Mosque, known as the Masjid al-Haram, hosts millions of Umrah performers annually, and the physical demands of completing the rituals — including the Tawaf and the Saa’i — can be considerable, especially for older pilgrims and those with mobility challenges. The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which oversees the daily operations and services at Islam’s two holiest sites, has increasingly turned to structured, technology-enabled solutions to manage these crowds while preserving the spiritual serenity of the experience.

The authority’s designation of specific cart locations is not an isolated measure but part of a wider operational framework that includes crowd management, accessibility improvements, and digital service integration. Internal locations now include the ground floor of the Saa’i area, the first floor of the Saa’i area near Gate 39, the first floor of the Mataf area at the Ajyad Bridge, the roof of the Mataf area, and the Saa’i area on the roof. These points were chosen to ensure that worshippers can access cart services at key transition points during their rituals, reducing the need for long walks between levels.

External locations are equally strategic: inside the Jarwal Tunnel near the emergency hospital, at Ali Gate next to the luggage storage area, in the Ajyad area, in Al-Misfalah near the bank, and in Al-Shubaika at the Jabal Omar entrance next to the Red Crescent Center. Each of these sites corresponds to a major arrival or departure route for pilgrims, meaning that a worshipper can arrange transportation assistance from the moment they approach the mosque until they complete their rituals. The reservation system through the Unified Transportation Platform, accessible via QR code, adds a layer of predictability and convenience that was not available in earlier eras of pilgrimage management.

Key Details of the Cart Service Expansion

How exactly will a pilgrim use this service? According to the authority’s statement, reservations can be made through the Unified Transportation Platform by scanning the QR code, with the option for direct booking at designated points in the courtyards. This dual approach — digital pre-booking and on-site booking — ensures that even those who are not tech-savvy or who decide spontaneously to use a cart can still access the service. The manual carts are operated by trained personnel, and their placement at both internal and external locations means that a pilgrim can begin using a cart from outside the mosque and continue through the various floors and areas without interruption.

The internal locations are particularly significant because they cover the most spiritually intense and physically demanding parts of the pilgrimage. The Saa’i area, where pilgrims walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, is a long corridor that can be exhausting for the elderly. The Mataf area, the circular space around the Kaaba where the Tawaf is performed, is often densely crowded. By placing carts on the ground floor and first floor of the Saa’i area, near Gate 39, at the Ajyad Bridge on the first floor of the Mataf, on the roof of the Mataf, and on the roof of the Saa’i area, the authority is ensuring that assistance is available at every critical juncture.

The external locations serve a different but equally important purpose. The Jarwal Tunnel near the emergency hospital is a major pedestrian artery; Ali Gate next to the luggage storage area is a common meeting point for groups; the Ajyad area and Al-Misfalah are bustling districts with hotels and services; and Al-Shubaika at the Jabal Omar entrance next to the Red Crescent Center is a key gateway for many pilgrims. By designating cart points at these external sites, the authority is effectively extending its care beyond the mosque’s walls, creating a seamless support system that begins before the pilgrim enters the sacred precinct.

International and Regional Impact

What does this development signal to the international Muslim community? For pilgrims from Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria, and dozens of other countries, the availability of organized cart services at clearly marked locations is a tangible improvement in the Umrah experience. It reduces the physical strain of the journey, making the pilgrimage more accessible to older travelers and those with disabilities — groups that have sometimes been discouraged by the logistical challenges of the Grand Mosque. The move also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to welcome a growing number of Umrah performers, including through expanded visa categories and improved transportation links.

Regionally, the initiative reinforces the Kingdom’s role as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and its commitment to serving all pilgrims regardless of nationality or physical ability. The designation of specific locations, rather than a vague promise of assistance, demonstrates a level of operational precision that international observers have come to expect from Saudi authorities managing the Hajj and Umrah seasons. It also sets a benchmark for other religious sites around the world that seek to balance large crowds with accessibility. The fact that the service is available through a unified digital platform further highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in using technology to enhance religious tourism.

Economic and Strategic Significance

How does a seemingly simple cart service connect to Saudi Arabia’s economic ambitions? The Umrah sector is a vital component of the Kingdom’s tourism economy, and any improvement in the pilgrim experience contributes to higher satisfaction rates, repeat visits, and positive word-of-mouth. When elderly pilgrims and those with disabilities can complete their rituals with ease, they are more likely to recommend the journey to others and to extend their stay in the Kingdom, visiting historical and cultural sites in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and beyond. This, in turn, supports the growth of the hospitality, retail, and transportation sectors in the holy cities.

Strategically, the cart service expansion is part of a larger investment in infrastructure and services around the Grand Mosque. The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has been steadily upgrading facilities, from air conditioning and lighting to crowd management systems and accessibility features. Each improvement, no matter how small it may appear, contributes to the overarching goal of making the pilgrimage a world-class experience. The use of the Unified Transportation Platform also generates valuable data that can be used to optimize future services, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are most needed.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Does this initiative reflect the goals of Saudi Vision 2030? Absolutely. One of the central pillars of Vision 2030 is to enhance the quality of life for citizens and visitors alike, and to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for religious tourism. By making the Grand Mosque more accessible to the elderly and individuals with disabilities, the authority is directly contributing to the Vision’s objective of increasing the number of Umrah performers and Hajj pilgrims to unprecedented levels. The emphasis on digital reservation through the Unified Transportation Platform also aligns with the Vision’s focus on digital transformation and smart services.

Moreover, the cart service exemplifies the Vision’s commitment to compassionate care and human dignity. Saudi Arabia’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that the comfort of pilgrims is a top priority, and this initiative is a concrete manifestation of that principle. As the Kingdom continues to invest in the Two Holy Mosques and their surroundings, services like these will play an increasingly important role in shaping the experience of millions. The message to the world is clear: Saudi Arabia is not only opening its doors wider to pilgrims but also ensuring that every pilgrim, regardless of age or ability, can perform their rituals with ease and reassurance. This is the essence of Vision 2030 in action — a modern, caring, and forward-looking Kingdom serving humanity.

20 Questions

Q1. What did the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announce?

A1. It designated several internal and external locations for manually operated carts at the Grand Mosque to facilitate the movement of Umrah performers, especially the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

Q2. Where are the internal cart locations situated?

A2. The internal locations are on the ground floor of the Saa’i area, the first floor of the Saa’i area near Gate 39, the first floor of the Mataf area at the Ajyad Bridge, the roof of the Mataf area, and the Saa’i area on the roof.

Q3. Where are the external cart locations situated?

A3. The external locations are inside the Jarwal Tunnel near the emergency hospital, at Ali Gate next to the luggage storage area, in the Ajyad area, in Al-Misfalah near the bank, and in Al-Shubaika at the Jabal Omar entrance next to the Red Crescent Center.

Q4. How can pilgrims reserve a manual cart?

A4. Reservations can be made through the Unified Transportation Platform by scanning the QR code, with the option for direct booking at designated points in the courtyards.

Q5. Who benefits most from this service?

A5. The service is designed to facilitate the experience of worshippers and Umrah performers, especially the elderly and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease and reassurance.

Q6. What is the Unified Transportation Platform?

A6. It is a digital booking system that allows pilgrims to reserve manual carts via QR code, streamlining access to transportation assistance within the Grand Mosque and its surroundings.

Q7. Why is the Saa’i area included in the internal locations?

A7. The Saa’i area is where pilgrims walk seven times between Safa and Marwah, a physically demanding ritual that can be challenging for the elderly, making cart access essential.

Q8. Why is the Mataf area included in the internal locations?

A8. The Mataf is the circular space around the Kaaba where the Tawaf is performed, often densely crowded, so carts on the first floor, roof, and at the Ajyad Bridge help pilgrims navigate this area.

Q9. What is the significance of the Jarwal Tunnel location?

A9. The Jarwal Tunnel near the emergency hospital is a major pedestrian artery, so placing carts there helps pilgrims who are arriving or leaving the mosque on foot.

Q10. Why is Ali Gate included as an external location?

A10. Ali Gate is next to the luggage storage area, a common meeting point for groups, making it a convenient spot for pilgrims to arrange cart services before entering the mosque.

Q11. What role does the Ajyad area play in this service?

A11. The Ajyad area is a bustling district with hotels and services, so an external cart point there allows pilgrims to begin using assistance from their accommodation area.

Q12. Why is Al-Misfalah near the bank a designated location?

A12. Al-Misfalah is a key district for pilgrims, and placing a cart point near the bank provides a recognizable landmark for booking and accessing the service.

Q13. What is the importance of the Al-Shubaika location?

A13. Al-Shubaika at the Jabal Omar entrance next to the Red Crescent Center is a major gateway for many pilgrims, ensuring assistance is available at a critical entry point.

Q14. How does this initiative improve the Umrah experience?

A14. By providing organized cart services at clearly marked locations, it reduces physical strain, making the pilgrimage more accessible and comfortable for all, especially those with mobility challenges.

Q15. Does this service align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A15. Yes, it supports Vision 2030 goals of enhancing quality of life, promoting religious tourism, and leveraging digital transformation to serve pilgrims more effectively.

Q16. What technology is used for reservations?

A16. The Unified Transportation Platform uses QR code scanning to allow pilgrims to reserve carts digitally, with on-site booking also available for those who prefer direct arrangements.

Q17. How does this service reflect Saudi Arabia’s care for pilgrims?

A17. It demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to compassionate service, ensuring that elderly and disabled pilgrims can perform their rituals with dignity and ease.

Q18. Will the cart service be expanded in the future?

A18. The authority continuously evaluates services to improve the pilgrim experience, and this designation of locations is part of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility at the Grand Mosque.

Q19. What should a pilgrim do to use a manual cart?

A19. A pilgrim can scan the QR code on the Unified Transportation Platform to reserve a cart or go directly to any designated internal or external location to book on the spot.

Q20. How does this initiative support international pilgrims?

A20. It provides a reliable, organized service that helps pilgrims from all countries, particularly the elderly and disabled, complete their Umrah with greater comfort and reassurance.

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