How Coordinated Pilgrims’ Movement to Makkah Eases Congestion at Prophet’s Mosque
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
As thousands of pilgrims continue their journey from Madinah to Makkah ahead of the 2026 Hajj, the level of congestion at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah has significantly reduced.
The coordinated movement of pilgrims to the holy city of Makkah has created a more relaxed atmosphere around the mosque, which had witnessed heavy crowds in recent weeks due to the influx of international pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.
Many pilgrims had spent several days in Madinah visiting the Prophet’s Mosque and other important Islamic historical sites before proceeding to Makkah to begin preparations for the core Hajj rites.
According to data from the Hajj Gazette 2026 Hajj Tracker, about 13,362 out of the more than 23,439 intending pilgrims airlifted from Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj have successfully moved from Madinah to Makkah. The movement also involves thousands of pilgrims from other participating countries across the world.
The gradual departure of pilgrims from Madinah has improved movement within the mosque premises and surrounding areas, allowing worshippers easier access to prayer spaces and other facilities.
The large-scale movement has contributed significantly to reducing pressure on accommodation facilities, transportation services as well as the worship areas around the Prophet’s Mosque.
Pilgrims arriving in Makkah are expected to continue with spiritual activities, including the performance of Umrah and other acts of worship, ahead of the main Hajj rituals scheduled to commence in the coming weeks.
Saudi authorities, alongside various national Hajj missions, have continued to coordinate transportation and crowd management operations to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims between the two holy cities during the pilgrimage season.
This comes as the airlift of intending pilgrims from countries, including Nigeria, gradually approaches its final phase across the continent.
