As Ramadan enters its final days, millions of worshippers are preparing to gather at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in search of Laylat Al-Qadr, one of the most sacred nights in Islam. Believed to occur during the last ten nights of Ramadan, Laylat Al-Qadr is described in Islamic tradition as a night “better than a thousand months,” making it a time of intense prayer, reflection, and spiritual devotion.
Every year, the final nights of Ramadan bring a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to the Grand Mosque. In 2026 alone, millions of pilgrims have already arrived during the holy month, with more than 31.9 million worshippers and Umrah performers visiting the Two Holy Mosques in the first ten days of Ramadan.
Authorities expect even larger crowds during the last ten nights as worshippers from around the world gather to perform prayers such as Taraweeh, Tahajjud, and Qiyam Al-Layl while seeking the blessings of Laylat Al-Qadr. On some nights, attendance at the Grand Mosque can reach extraordinary levels. In previous Ramadan seasons, more than 4 million worshippers gathered in one night, highlighting the spiritual significance of the occasion.
To prepare for the expected surge, Saudi authorities have implemented extensive operational plans to manage the crowds and ensure the safety and comfort of visitors. Security forces, volunteers, and service teams are deployed throughout the Grand Mosque and surrounding areas to guide worshippers and organize the flow of people. Advanced monitoring technologies and crowd-management systems are also being used to regulate entry points and prayer spaces.
Additional services have been expanded during Ramadan, including increased cleaning operations, improved access to Zamzam water, enhanced prayer areas, and support services for elderly worshippers and people with disabilities.
Transportation and traffic measures have also been introduced to ease congestion in central Makkah, with visitors encouraged to use public transport and designated pedestrian routes near the mosque.
As the holy month approaches its final nights, the Grand Mosque once again becomes the spiritual center for millions of Muslims. For many believers, the opportunity to pray in Makkah during Laylat Al-Qadr represents a deeply meaningful moment—one that brings together worshippers from across the world in a shared atmosphere of faith and devotion.
