Smart screens in the Two Holy Mosques in 50 languages to serve the pilgrims
A digital initiative to promote religious guidance in the Two Holy Mosques
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to harnessing the latest technologies to serve pilgrims, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques intensified its awareness efforts during the holy month of Ramadan by launching a comprehensive digital system. This system features 40 interactive smart screens strategically located within the Two Holy Mosques, aiming to disseminate reliable Islamic content in more than 50 languages, thus conveying the tolerant message of Islam to millions of visitors from around the world.
Historical context and ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers
This initiative is a continuation of a long history of development and improvement in the services provided at the Two Holy Mosques. Throughout history, the Saudi leadership has prioritized facilitating the journey of pilgrims and Umrah performers, from historic expansions to the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions. This digital transformation represents a qualitative leap forward, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims and provide a safe and accessible environment for worship that can accommodate the increasing number of visitors annually. The shift from traditional guidance to interactive digital platforms reflects a deep understanding of the needs of the modern, multilingual, and multicultural visitor.
The importance of the initiative and its expected impact
The importance of these interactive screens lies in their ability to break down language barriers, enabling visitors and pilgrims to instantly access religious rulings and guidance in their native languages. This not only contributes to raising religious awareness and correcting misconceptions but also ensures that worship is performed with understanding and peace of mind. Sheikh Ali bin Hamed Al-Nafi’i, Deputy Minister of Intellectual and Awareness Affairs, explained that these screens provide reliable and accessible religious content that promotes the values of moderation and balance. They have been carefully distributed in key areas such as the Mataf expansion, the Saudi arcade, and the King Fahd expansion, to ensure they reach the largest possible number of worshippers.
Widespread local and international impact
Domestically, this step reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader in crowd management and the provision of advanced religious services. Internationally, it solidifies the Kingdom's message as a global center for moderate Islam and provides a reliable source of religious information to counter extremist ideologies and misinformation. Al-Nafi'i noted that these efforts are part of a comprehensive system aimed at leveraging modern technologies to disseminate sound Islamic knowledge, in accordance with the directives of the Head of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais. The initiative has achieved remarkable success, benefiting more than 50,000 people since the beginning of Muharram, thus confirming its effectiveness in enriching the spiritual experience of pilgrims.
