The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, also known as the Haram Authority, has launched new hospitality centers for children in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These centers opened on Friday, March 7, 2025, to help families visiting the holy site. The goal is to make it easier for parents to pray and perform their religious duties while their children are cared for in a safe place.
The centers are located near the mosque’s entrances and can hold up to 50 children at a time, aged between 3 and 10 years old. Trained staff look after the children, offering games, educational activities, and snacks. Parents can leave their kids for up to two hours for free, but they must show identification and register first. The authority says this service will reduce crowding in the prayer areas and help families feel more comfortable.
“It’s a big help. I can focus on my prayers without worrying about my kids,” said a mother from Jeddah.
Some visitors praised the idea. However, others think the centers should be bigger to serve more families, especially during busy times like Ramadan. The Haram Authority plans to study how well the centers work and might open more in the future if they are successful.
