Saudi authorities have announced that pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season will spend no more than 35 minutes at miqats (ritual entry points), cutting down from the 39 minutes recorded in 2025.
READ ALSO: NAHCON, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Hold Virtual Meeting on 2026 Hajj Preparations
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites confirmed the development as part of its operational readiness plan for the 1447 AH/2026 season, citing real-time data gathered during the 2025 Hajj. The plan also reduces the response time to pilgrim complaints from 150 minutes to 120 minutes, while maintaining a 99 percent satisfaction rate.
Five key miqats are undergoing major upgrades ahead of the new season:
Yalamlam: Installation of solar-powered rest stations.
Al-Taneem Mosque (most used miqat): Expanded prayer spaces, modern drainage system, and 24-hour cleaning crews.
Al-Juhfah Mosque (second busiest): New traffic routes to ease congestion and additional service kiosks.
Qarn al-Manazil (Al-Sail Al-Kabir): Courtyard reorganization to increase prayer capacity by 20 percent.
Wadi Muharram: Completion of direct highway links and removal of visual obstructions.
Speaking on the preparations, the Commission’s CEO, Engineer Saleh Al-Rasheed, said the focus is on efficiency:
“We’re not adding sites. We’re making existing ones move faster.”
According to the Commission, real-time crowd monitoring will enforce a strict 35-minute cap on queues. Full operational readiness is expected by 25 Dhul Qi’dah 1447 AH (August 20, 2026).
Saudi Arabia is preparing to welcome 3.5 million Hajj and Umrah visitors in 2026, up from 3.2 million in 2025. Officials say the strategy relies on precision logistics rather than expansion. At Al-Taneem, separate routes for inbound and outbound pilgrims have been introduced, while Qarn al-Manazil will provide pre-laid prayer mats from as early as 4 a.m. daily.
The upgrades are being carried out in accordance with Islamic architectural standards, with maintenance teams now working in 8-hour shifts to ensure uninterrupted services across all sites.
II