An exhibition in Makkah is drawing attention to a rare artifact that illustrates how crowds at the Grand Mosque were managed before the arrival of modern technology. The Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques' Architecture is displaying a wooden platform mounted on a marble base that once stood beside the Black Stone inside the Grand Mosque.

The piece offers a window into the history of pilgrim management at one of the busiest sites in the Muslim world, where millions circle the Holy Ka'bah each year during Tawaf.

A Window Into Early Crowd Management

According to the exhibition, the platform served an important role in organising the movement of pilgrims performing Tawaf during periods of heavy congestion. A security officer would stand on the raised structure to direct the flow of pilgrims and help regulate movement near the Black Stone, one of the most crowded locations within the Grand Mosque.

The corner of the Ka'bah that holds the Black Stone has always attracted dense gatherings, as many pilgrims seek to kiss or point toward it during their circuits. The wooden platform allowed an officer to see over the crowd and guide pilgrims safely, a simple but effective solution in an era before electronic systems.

From Manual Methods to Modern Systems

The artifact highlights the contrast between past and present. Today the Grand Mosque relies on a vast network of crowd-management tools, including surveillance systems, designated pathways and trained personnel coordinating movement across multiple levels of the Mataf, the area around the Ka'bah where Tawaf is performed.

The wooden platform represents an earlier chapter in that story, when a single officer standing above the throng was a key instrument of order. Preserving such objects helps document how services at the Grand Mosque have developed over recent decades to accommodate ever-larger numbers of worshippers.

The exhibition continues to enrich the visitor experience by showcasing historical pieces that reflect the evolution of the Two Holy Mosques. For pilgrims and visitors, it offers a chance to appreciate the long effort behind the smooth, organised Tawaf that many take for granted today.

Practical Tips

  • Visitors to Makkah can include the exhibition as part of their journey to learn about the heritage of the Two Holy Mosques.
  • During Tawaf, follow the guidance of officials near the Black Stone, where congestion is heaviest.
  • There is no obligation to kiss or touch the Black Stone. Pointing toward it from a distance is sufficient and helps keep crowds moving safely.