Watch: Over 3 million worshippers pray at Saudi Arabi's Mecca Grand Mosque

Dubai: As the spiritual rhythm of Ramadan reaches its peak, more than 3 million worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on the 22nd day and into the night of the 23rd of the holy month, making it one of the largest congregations of the season so far.

According to figures released by Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the Grand Mosque saw a steady influx of worshippers throughout the day. Nearly 592,100 worshippers performed Fajr prayer, followed by 518,000 at Dhuhr, 547,700 at Asr, 710,500 at Maghrib, and 732,700 for Isha and Taraweeh. 

The total number of Umrah pilgrims entering the mosque through its main gates reached 662,500, with key entry points witnessing record footfall. The King Abdulaziz Gate alone welcomed 235,800 pilgrims, the highest among all access points. 

Other major gates also saw heavy traffic, including King Fahd Gate with 172,700 entrants, Bab Al Umrah with 111,400, Bab Al Hudaybiyah with 69,600, and Bab Al Salam, which saw 32,300 pilgrims.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to monitor and manage the flow of worshippers through an advanced system of crowd control and digital tracking to ensure safety and ease of movement within the mosque’s vast premises.

The overwhelming turnout is also attributed to the widespread belief among worshippers that Laylat Al Qadr, or the Night of Power, could fall on one of the odd-numbered nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan —nights believed to hold blessings greater than a thousand months. 

Many pilgrims intentionally choose to perform prayers in the Grand Mosque on these nights in the hope of witnessing this sacred occasion, deepening their spiritual connection and multiplying the rewards of their worship. As such, the 23rd night saw a marked increase in numbers.