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Saudi Arabian authorities reportedly announced a new decision prohibiting photography inside the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque during the 2026 hajj season, in a measure aimed at preserving the sanctity of the sacred sites and promoting an atmosphere of reverence and tranquility among visitors to the two holy mosques.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior reportedly imposed a photography ban on hajj lottery winners for the 2026 season, requiring them to refrain from photography inside the two holy mosques using any means.
"The ban on photography inside the two holy mosques by any means is mandatory, to preserve the sanctity of the place and respect the feelings of pilgrims," the ministry reportedly stated.
The decision came in response to increasing demands to limit behaviors that have become a source of disturbance to pilgrims, particularly the widespread practice of photographing and video recording inside the sacred sites, and the accompanying congestion and disruption to the performance of rituals.
Competent authorities emphasized that the ban aims primarily to enable pilgrims to perform their worship in quieter, more spiritual conditions, stressing that adherence to the instructions of the two holy mosques constitutes a religious and ethical duty that ensures respect for the sanctity of the places and the privacy of visitors.
"The measures are intended to enable pilgrims to perform their worship in conditions that are more peaceful and spiritual, emphasizing that compliance with the instructions of the two holy mosques is a religious and ethical obligation that ensures respect for the sanctity of the place and the privacy of visitors," authorities reportedly stated.
New regulatory arrangements are expected to be put in place to monitor compliance with the decision, alongside the designation of field teams dedicated to awareness and guidance, to direct pilgrims and remind them of the etiquette for visiting the two holy mosques.
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