Saudi Arabia: Special prayer rooms for women in Mecca's Grand Mosque during Ramadan

Dubai: As pilgrims gather at the Grand Mosque for Ramadan, authorities have introduced dedicated prayer spaces for women—quiet sanctuaries designed to offer both spiritual solace and practical support during the holy month.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has announced the designation of special prayer rooms for women within the Grand Mosque, each equipped with a range of services to enhance the worship experience.

The move aims to accommodate the growing number of female pilgrims while ensuring dignity, accessibility, and ease of movement during one of the busiest seasons in Islam’s holiest site.

Inside the newly designated rooms, women have access to integrated services, including on-site healthcare support, with emergency medical teams stationed nearby.

A dedicated lost and found service allows for quick retrieval of personal items, while volunteers offer Quran memorization and recitation correction sessions for those seeking spiritual enrichment.

The authority has also made translated copies of the Quran available to non-Arabic speakers, and daily iftar meals are distributed to fasting women as part of a broader hospitality initiative.

Beyond spiritual provisions, the initiative includes logistical measures to streamline movement through the mosque’s corridors. Entry and exit routes are carefully organized to prevent congestion, with trained staff providing guidance and religious counseling to those seeking assistance in performing rituals correctly.

Importantly, special prayer spaces have also been allocated for women with disabilities, featuring wheelchair-accessible paths and supportive infrastructure to ensure equitable access to worship.