Saudi Upgrades Shoe Racks at Makkah, Madinah Mosques to Ease Pilgrim Movement
By Maryam Aliyu
Saudi Arabia has introduced an upgraded shoe-rack system at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah as part of efforts to improve crowd movement and make it easier for pilgrims and worshippers to locate their footwear.
The new system replaces the previous number-only identification with a combination of letters and numbers, alongside colour-coded labels to provide clearer visual guidance.
Under the new arrangement, shoe racks are identified with alphanumeric codes such as “C-031”, allowing worshippers to more easily remember and identify the location where they placed their footwear.
The colour-coded markings are also intended to provide an additional visual reference, particularly for visitors navigating the vast mosque complexes during busy prayer periods.
The upgrade is expected to help reduce confusion around designated shoe-rack areas and discourage worshippers from leaving footwear in walkways and other areas outside the designated storage points.
Saudi Upgrades Shoe Racks at Makkah, Madinah Mosques to Ease Pilgrim Movement
The move comes as Saudi authorities continue to introduce operational and technological solutions aimed at improving the experience of millions of Muslims visiting the two holy mosques throughout the year.
Both the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah receive large numbers of worshippers, with crowd volumes increasing significantly during Ramadan, Hajj and other peak periods.
The improved shoe-rack identification system is part of wider efforts to use clearer visual markers and smart services to facilitate navigation, crowd management and movement within the holy mosque complexes.
Other measures introduced at the two mosques include colour-coded exit points and smart storage solutions designed to assist pilgrims and worshippers in navigating the facilities more efficiently.
The latest upgrade is therefore expected to provide a relatively simple but practical solution to one of the common challenges visitors faced locating their footwear after prayers in highly crowded areas.
