This Is Islam Uncovered

How Saudi Arabia’s policies regarding Mecca have evolved in recent decades

Over the past few decades, Saudi Arabia’s policies regarding Mecca have undergone significant evolution in terms of infrastructure development, religious governance, political and diplomatic relations, and economic considerations. As the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Mecca and Medina), Saudi Arabia's management of these sacred cities is a key element of its identity, both domestically and on the global stage. The changes reflect the kingdom's efforts to balance religious duties, national interests, and modernization while maintaining its dominant role in the Islamic world.

1. Infrastructure and Urban Development in Mecca

One of the most notable shifts in recent decades has been the massive investment in infrastructure and urban development around Mecca, aimed at accommodating the ever-growing number of pilgrims who come to perform the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

A. Expanding the Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram)

Expansion Projects: Saudi Arabia has undertaken several expansion projects for the Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram), which houses the Kaaba. The aim of these expansions is to increase capacity and enhance the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
- Recent Developments: Major expansions have included the construction of new prayer halls, underground tunnels, new minarets, and a huge central courtyard. These additions have increased the mosque's capacity to accommodate up to 2.5 million pilgrims during the peak of Hajj.
- Elevated Walkways and Tunnels: The Maqa‘is Tunnel and the King Abdulaziz Gate were developed to streamline pilgrim movement and ease overcrowding. These features help pilgrims move around the mosque more efficiently and safely, especially during the busy days of Hajj.

B. Modernization of Pilgrimage Facilities

The Saudi government has invested heavily in infrastructure to ensure the smooth and safe transportation of pilgrims. Key projects include:

Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat: These sites, which are integral to the Hajj rituals, have seen the construction of modern facilities, including air-conditioned tents, improved sanitation, transportation networks, and health care services. These changes are meant to ensure that the millions of pilgrims have access to better facilities and services during their time in Mecca.
Transportation Projects: The Mecca Metro, launched in 2010, is one of the major transportation projects aimed at addressing the heavy congestion during the Hajj. This metro system links key areas such as Mina, Arafat, and Mecca, making it easier for pilgrims to travel between ritual sites.
New Hotels and Services: Mecca's cityscape has changed significantly with the construction of modern hotels, shopping malls, and luxury accommodations, particularly near the Grand Mosque. Some of these developments include large complexes like the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, which includes the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a high-rise hotel that offers spectacular views of the mosque.

C. Smart Hajj Initiatives

The Saudi government has also embraced technology to improve the experience of pilgrims, especially in managing large crowds and ensuring safety:

Hajj Tracking Apps: Saudi Arabia has rolled out several apps and digital platforms for pilgrims, such as the "Eatmarna" app for booking Umrah and Hajj permits and tracking pilgrim movements in real-time. These apps are designed to optimize crowd control, enhance safety, and provide vital information on rituals and services.
Health and Safety Measures: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of health monitoring systems and the implementation of strict health protocols during the Hajj. This included the requirement for pilgrims to be vaccinated and tested for COVID-19, and social distancing measures during the rituals.

2. Political and Religious Governance of Mecca

Saudi Arabia’s role as the custodian of the holy cities involves more than just managing infrastructure—it also entails overseeing the religious authority and theological governance in Mecca. Over the years, this has evolved in response to internal and external pressures.

A. Religious Policies and Wahhabism

Wahhabism and Religious Conservatism: Saudi Arabia’s state-sponsored interpretation of Islam is heavily influenced by Wahhabism, a strict, puritanical form of Sunni Islam. The Saudi religious establishment (dominated by the Ulama, or scholars) plays an important role in enforcing religious practices in Mecca, including the Hajj rituals. Wahhabi principles continue to guide policies in Mecca and Medina, with a strong emphasis on the monotheistic principles of Islam and the rejection of what is seen as innovations in religious practice (i.e., bid‘ah).
Religious Restrictions: The Saudi state has imposed restrictions on certain practices in Mecca that do not align with Wahhabi teachings. For example, practices such as the veneration of saints or the construction of tombs over the graves of important figures, including those of the Prophet’s companions, have been controversial. The government has often sought to demolish or alter these sites in order to maintain the purity of Islamic practice according to Wahhabi beliefs.

B. Religious Pluralism and Reform

In more recent years, there has been some push for religious reforms in the kingdom, including a more relaxed stance toward issues like women’s rights and entertainment. However, these reforms do not extend to Mecca and Medina, where strict religious governance remains intact due to their importance in the global Muslim community.

Women’s Rights and Hajj: Women’s rights within the Kingdom have been gradually improved in recent years, including policies such as allowing women to drive and granting them more freedom in public spaces. However, for Hajj, women are still required to travel with a mahram (a male guardian), although this rule has seen some exceptions, particularly in recent years during COVID-19 restrictions, where women were allowed to perform Hajj without a mahram under certain conditions.

3. Economic Aspects of Saudi Policies in Mecca

Mecca plays a critical role in the Saudi economy, especially given the Hajj pilgrimage's revenue potential. Over the decades, Saudi Arabia has leveraged its role as the custodian of Mecca to stimulate economic growth, both through direct revenues from religious tourism and through the broader economic development of the region.

A. Pilgrimage Revenue

Hajj and Umrah as Economic Pillars: Saudi Arabia earns substantial revenue from pilgrims performing both the Hajj and Umrah. The Hajj alone contributes billions of dollars annually to the Saudi economy through services, accommodation, transportation, gifts, and donations. The Umrah pilgrimage, which is performed year-round and is less regulated than the Hajj, also brings in significant income.
Diversification and Vision 2030: The Saudi Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from oil dependence, has placed great emphasis on expanding the tourism industry, with religious tourism in Mecca being a key part of that plan. For example, the kingdom is expanding the capacity for Umrah pilgrims, increasing the annual number of visitors in the hopes of enhancing tourism revenues.

B. Global Branding of Saudi Arabia

In addition to economic interests, Saudi Arabia has also used its stewardship of Mecca to promote its global brand. The Kingdom has worked to position itself as a leader in the Muslim world, with the Hajj pilgrimage serving as a cornerstone for global Islamic leadership.

Global Islamic Leadership: The Saudi monarchy’s role as the guardian of Mecca gives it an influential voice in the Islamic world, especially in Sunni-majority countries. This position allows Saudi Arabia to assert itself as the leader of the Islamic ummah (community).

4. International Relations and Diplomatic Considerations

Saudi Arabia's control over Mecca and Medina also impacts its diplomatic relations with other Muslim-majority countries.

A. Relations with Other Sunni Powers

Saudi Arabia's custodianship allows it to maintain strong influence over other Sunni Muslim-majority countries, but it is also a point of tension with Shia-majority countries, particularly Iran. Disagreements have sometimes arisen over issues related to the Hajj (such as incidents in Mecca) or broader theological and political conflicts between Sunni and Shia Islam.

B. Diplomatic Role in the Muslim World

Saudi Arabia uses its role as custodian of the holy cities to engage in religious diplomacy. It hosts Islamic summits, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and exerts influence over Islamic issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, religious unity, and the global spread of radical ideologies.

5. Conclusion: Evolving Policies for the 21st Century

In recent decades, Saudi Arabia’s policies regarding Mecca have evolved significantly to adapt to the demands of modernization, economic diversification, and global diplomacy, while also maintaining its religious responsibilities as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites. The kingdom continues to balance the growth of infrastructure and religious practices with its desire to remain a central hub of the Muslim world.

The modernization of Mecca, the expansion of Hajj facilities, the integration of technology, and new economic policies are central to Saudi Arabia’s vision for global leadership in the Islamic world and its ambition for economic diversification in the years leading to Vision 2030.