Pilgrims Applaud Free Luggage Storage Service at Grand Mosque
Initiative Promotes Burden-Free Worship and Improves Crowd Movement at Masjid al-Haram
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque have praised Saudi authorities for introducing a free luggage storage service around Masjid al-Haram, describing the initiative as a practical measure that allows worshippers to perform their religious rituals without the burden of carrying travel bags.
The service, provided by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, enables pilgrims to deposit small bags at designated storage centers located near the mosque’s entrances before proceeding to perform prayers or Umrah rituals.
Officials say the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve pilgrim services and enhance crowd management within the Grand Mosque complex, particularly during peak periods such as Ramadan and the Hajj season.
Under the system, each bag is electronically registered and tagged, allowing pilgrims to retrieve their belongings easily after completing their acts of worship.
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The storage areas are monitored to ensure the safety and proper handling of deposited items.
Many pilgrims say the facility has significantly improved their experience while visiting Islam’s holiest site.
“For many travelers arriving directly from airports or hotels, carrying luggage into the mosque can be very stressful,” said Muhammad Arif, an Umrah pilgrim from Indonesia. “The storage center allows us to focus on worship without worrying about our bags.”
Another pilgrim, Aisha Rahman from Malaysia, said the service has also improved mobility within the mosque’s courtyards.
“The crowds are usually very large, especially during busy hours. When people bring bags into the mosque, it makes movement more difficult,” she said. “This service helps keep the pathways clear.”
Authorities say discouraging pilgrims from bringing luggage into the mosque plays an important role in maintaining order and ensuring the safety of visitors.
Large bags and suitcases can obstruct movement and create congestion in heavily crowded areas, particularly around entrances, prayer halls and circumambulation areas.
Although the service generally accepts only smaller bags for limited periods, many pilgrims say it remains a welcome addition to the range of facilities designed to support visitors to the Grand Mosque.
With millions of pilgrims expected to visit Makkah annually, initiatives such as the luggage storage service are increasingly viewed as essential measures aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience at Masjid al-Haram.
