Pilgrims enter farewell phase as Two Holy Mosques step up operations ahead of Hajj conclusion
MINA: The Grand Mosque is undergoing intensive operational preparations to manage pilgrims’ movement during Tawaf Al-Wada, the farewell circumambulation around the Kaaba, which marks the conclusion of Hajj for most of this year’s 1.71 million pilgrims.
In Islamic jurisprudence, pilgrims who perform the stoning ritual on the second day of Tashreeq may proceed to the Grand Mosque to perform the final tawaf under the option known as Ta’ajul, or hastened Hajj, provided they leave Mina before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah; otherwise, they must remain in Mina for the third day of Tashreeq.
The preparations form part of efforts to facilitate pilgrims’ movement and manage crowds efficiently within the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, ensuring smooth flow and the safety of worshippers as they conclude their spiritual journey, according to the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques.
The authority added that its field teams were deployed across corridors, courtyards, and entrances to guide crowds toward designated tawaf routes, providing real-time assistance and responding to inquiries, thereby helping regulate crowd flow and reduce waiting times to reach the tawaf and sa’i areas.
