Ramadan 2025: Online guide to congestion levels in Mecca's Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia

Cairo: As more Muslims are flocking to the Saudi city of Mecca to perform the Umrah or minor pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest, during the current Ramadan, authorities have highlighted an app enabling the pilgrims to instantly learn about the crowding level in the revered site.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah explained that pilgrims can follow a colour indicator in the Nusuk app to know the times of congestion, thus opting for the timings when they can undertake the Umrah rituals with ease and convenience.

Each colour in the app indicates a specific level of congestion. Green represents light congestion; yellow medium congestion; and red high congestion.

The month of Ramadan, noted for devout worshipping, traditionally marks the peak season for Umrah, or the minor pilgrimage, in the Grand Mosque.

In the run-up to the sacred month, Saudi authorities have mobilized all resources to receive the influx of pilgrims in Mecca and enable them to perform the rites with ease and comfort.

Nusuk enables Muslims wishing to undertake the Umrah or visit the holy sites in Saudi Arabia to obtain the necessary visas as well as to book related packages electronically.

The platform, moreover, allows booking permits and appointments for performing the Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam's second holiest in Medina for pilgrims coming from abroad after obtaining an entry visa via electronic procedures available around the clock.