For many years, worshippers in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah prayed on the familiar red carpets that can still be seen in older photographs and recordings of the Sacred Mosque.
The history of carpets specially produced for Masjid al-Haram goes back to 1402 AH (1981–1982). They were initially imported from Belgium, followed in later years by carpets from Germany and Lebanon.
A major change came in 1420 AH (1999–2000), when carpets for Masjid al-Haram began to be manufactured in Saudi Arabia. These locally produced carpets remained red until 1434 AH (2013).
Then, shortly before Ramadan in 2013, the familiar red carpets were replaced with Saudi-made green carpets, marking a new visual chapter inside the Grand Mosque. Contemporary reporting from Makkah documented the completion of this change before Ramadan that year.
Today, the green carpets have become part of the familiar appearance of Masjid al-Haram. According to the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, more than 35,000 green carpets are used across the mosque’s corridors and courtyards, with additional carpets provided during Fridays and peak seasons. They are regularly cleaned, sanitized, inspected, and replaced when necessary.
❤️ Then: Red
💚 Now: Green
The colors may have changed through the years, but the purpose remains the same: preparing a clean and comfortable place for millions of worshippers who come to the House of Allah. 🕋🤍
If you remember seeing the red carpets of Masjid al-Haram, which do you remember more clearly: the red or the green?
