In brief
The launch, announced by Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al‑Sudais on November 2, 2026, marks a step toward a sustainable endowment model for the Two Holy Mosques. The new framework seeks to streamline resource development, project management, and partnerships with nonprofit and private sectors to improve spending efficiency and enrich visitor services. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives for sustainable development.
On November 2, 2026, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al‑Sudais, President of the Saudi Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, announced the inauguration of an integrated endowment and institutional framework for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The announcement, made during a ceremony in the Grand Mosque, described the framework as a comprehensive system designed to establish a sustainable endowment model for both mosques. The platform is intended to integrate roles across resource development, project management, and implementation, forming a coordinated approach to the management of religious affairs at the holy sites.
According to the agency, the new system will foster partnerships with the nonprofit and private sectors. By bringing external expertise and investment into the management of the mosques, the framework aims to broaden the financial base of the institutions and reduce dependency on state funding alone.
Al‑Sudais highlighted the importance of improving spending efficiency as a core objective of the new endowment structure. The initiative is expected to streamline budgeting, accelerate project execution, and allocate resources more effectively across the vast array of religious and enrichment services delivered to the millions of visitors who annually travel to the Grand and Prophet’s Mosques.
Sheikh Al‑Sudais also underscored how the initiative supports the broader national agenda of Saudi Vision 2030. The Vision calls for sustainable, diversified economic development and a transformation of public services, and the endowment system is portrayed as a strategic tool to align with those objectives.
While the announcement emphasized the administrative and financial benefits, the prayer and enrichment programs that will benefit from the framework were not detailed in the agency release. The platform’s scope, however, implies that various visitor services—such as guidance, education, and hospitality—will receive improved support and resource allocation under the new model.
The Saudi Press Agency noted that the launch marks a milestone in the administration of the Two Holy Mosques. By establishing a dedicated endowment and institutional organization, the religious affairs leadership intends to create a long‑term financial foundation that can adapt to changing needs and technological advances in the coming decades.
Overall, the announcement presents a multi‑layered strategy that combines financial sustainability, streamlined governance, and a commitment to Vision 2030, positioning the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to better serve millions of worshippers and visitors worldwide.
