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As the Umrah season for 1447 AH begins, Saudi authorities have rolled out a series of initiatives designed to enhance the pilgrimage experience in Makkah and Madinah. Combining digital innovation, improved safety measures, and infrastructure upgrades, these efforts reflect the country’s dedication to providing pilgrims with a safe, comfortable, and spiritually enriching journey.
Introducing the ‘Rushd’ App
In Madinah, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs launched a campaign to raise awareness about the “Rushd” app, coinciding with the start of Umrah.
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This app offers pilgrims multiple digital services including an electronic Quran, prayer times based on Umm Al-Qura, Qibla direction, and a multilingual 3D virtual reality guide for Hajj and Umrah education. It also features an Islamic e-library and access to the Sahih Al Istishhad website
The campaign is active in key locations around Madinah, including historic mosques and areas near the Prophet’s Mosque, helping visitors make full use of the app to enhance their spiritual journey, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
Smart bracelets enhance visitor safety
Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque introduced smart safety bracelets aimed at vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and visually impaired visitors. These bracelets store emergency contact information, enabling quick assistance if needed and providing reassurance during worship.
This initiative complements ongoing efforts to offer 24/7 integrated services, aligning with Saudi leadership’s directives to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors at the Grand Mosque.
Infrastructure and services expand in Madinah
The Al Madinah Region Development Authority has implemented 16 initiatives in 2024 as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program, which focuses on improving infrastructure, training, crowd management, and the use of AI technologies. These efforts are designed to facilitate smoother pilgrimages and enhance services at the Prophet’s Mosque and surrounding historic sites.
With 89 initiatives underway across 23 government entities, covering areas like security, transport, healthcare, tourism, and emergency response, the program is showing strong progress, with a 95% completion rate on its projects.
Tourism ministry closes non-compliant facilities
To maintain high standards, the Ministry of Tourism carried out inspections in Makkah, closing 25 hospitality facilities in July 2025 due to violations such as operating without licenses, poor maintenance, and safety concerns. This crackdown is part of a wider effort to ensure all tourism services comply with regulations and meet the expectations of pilgrims.
The ministry’s ongoing campaign, ‘Our Guests Come First,’ encourages visitors to provide feedback via the Unified Tourism Center (930), helping improve service quality and visitor satisfaction.
Service centers support pilgrims in Madinah
In Madinah, two service centers within the Prophet’s Mosque courtyards served nearly 188,000 visitors in 2024. Offering multilingual guidance, mobility aids, informational materials, and wristbands for children and elderly visitors, these centers help pilgrims navigate the mosque and access needed support, contributing to a more comfortable and serene worship experience.
These efforts are part of the General Authority’s broader mission to enhance environmental and human aspects of service within the mosque.
Through a combination of digital innovation, safety enhancements, regulatory enforcement, and improved infrastructure, Saudi Arabia continues to elevate the experience of pilgrims during Umrah. These initiatives demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to serving millions of worshippers with care, efficiency, and hospitality in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
