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The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques detailed the role of these foot patrols in enhancing visitor experience at the historic site. Teams engage directly with pilgrims to provide real-time directions and answer questions while helping maintain orderly movement throughout the open courtyards. Special emphasis is placed on aiding the elderly and people with disabilities so they can reach their intended spots without difficulty. The patrols further steer worshippers toward essential service areas such as rest facilities and prayer zones.
According to the authority, the arrangement proves particularly valuable during periods of elevated attendance like the month of Ramadan when visitor numbers surge. Saudi Press Agency coverage of the program highlighted its contribution to smoother circulation and elevated service standards across the mosque grounds. The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques reported that visitor throughput at the Prophet’s Mosque alone exceeded 4.8 million in a single recent seven-day period.
The authority’s broader mandate includes delivering comprehensive care to millions who visit the Two Holy Mosques annually. In one month last year the combined total for Makkah and Madinah reached more than 78 million people, authority figures show. Such scale underscores the importance of on-the-ground support mechanisms like the foot patrol network now active at the 20 fixed points.
Guidance personnel operate as part of a larger framework of crowd management strategies employed at the Prophet’s Mosque. These strategies have evolved to accommodate growing demand from both domestic worshippers and international pilgrims drawn to the site where the Prophet Muhammad is buried. The authority has consistently expanded its service points in response to feedback and observed attendance patterns.
Additional support includes assisting individuals in locating specific areas for prayer or accessing medical and logistical help when required. The foot patrols complement other technological and human resources deployed by the authority to ensure a safe and comfortable visit for all. Data from the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques indicated that weekly visitor counts frequently surpass several million at the Madinah landmark.
