MAKKAH March 28, 2025 — Over three million worshipers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to offer Isha and special night prayers of Taraweeh and Qiyamullail on the 27th night of Ramadan, widely regarded as Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power.
The entire Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, including their courtyards, were filled with worshipers, and crowds spilled into the surrounding streets of the central Haram areas.
In a deeply spiritual atmosphere during the fasting month, worshipers engaged in supplications, seeking the blessings and forgiveness of Almighty God. The Night of Power, when the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), is considered better than a thousand months.
At the Grand Mosque, worshipers attended the Isha and night prayers, including Taraweeh and Qiyamullail, ending with a special supplication led by Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
As rain fell on the courtyards of the Grand Mosque, the faithful performed their prayers under the downpour, raising their hands in prayer for mercy and forgiveness.
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques implemented a comprehensive operational plan and services to ensure smooth and orderly worship, with all human and mechanical resources mobilized for pilgrims and worshipers, coordinated with concerned agencies and security forces.
A steady stream of Umrah pilgrims and worshipers arrived from early morning, filling every area of the Grand Mosque, including its corridors, floors, rooftops, courtyards, basement, and Third Saudi Expansion, providing a serene and peaceful environment for prayers.
The Grand Mosque hosted a record 3.41 million worshipers on the 27th night of Ramadan, as reported by Eng. Ghazi Al-Shahrani, CEO of the authority. The breakdown of worshipers for each prayer included: Fajr - 703,000; Dhuhr - 614,300; Asr - 643,900; Maghrib - 740,100; and Isha - 740,100.
Approximately 800,000 pilgrims entered through the main gates, with 282,400 entering through King Abdulaziz Gate, 33,200 through Al-Salam Gate, 107,800 through Al-Hudaybiyah Gate, 149,100 through Umrah Gate, and 199,700 through King Fahd Gate.
Copies of the Holy Qur’an in various languages were available to worshipers, and cleaning efforts were intensified. The operation of loudspeakers, ventilation fans, and air conditioning systems was optimized to ensure comfort for the worshipers. Golf carts, regular carts, and electric carts were available through the "Tanaqol" app, operated according to a well-organized plan.
Makkah's health department enhanced services with medical centers at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards to provide necessary medical care to pilgrims.
Over 400 scouts from the Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association helped with crowd management, facilitating pilgrim movement, reducing congestion, and guiding lost individuals. They also assisted healthcare teams by offering emergency support and guiding patients to health centers.
At the Prophet’s Mosque, the prayer halls were filled early with worshippers from inside and outside the Kingdom. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of worshipers, including preparing prayer areas with carpets, offering purification services, fumigation, provision of Zamzam water, and ensuring restrooms and environmental protection services were well-maintained for visitor satisfaction.