Interactive screens in the Grand Mosque: their locations and features for pilgrims

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As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to provide the best possible services to pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has intensified its technological and awareness-raising efforts to an unprecedented degree. A key feature of this initiative is the launch of interactive screens in the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, representing a significant leap forward in how the Presidency communicates with the guests of God. This pioneering step is part of the Hajj season plan for 1447 AH, aiming to enrich the religious experience of pilgrims and enhance their religious awareness by providing easily accessible and reliable religious content.

The historic shift in guiding pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques

Throughout history, guidance and counseling services at the Grand Mosque have undergone numerous stages of development. In the past, the process relied entirely on direct human effort, with guides and scholars sitting in the mosque's arcades to answer pilgrims' questions. As the number of visitors from all corners of the earth increased, traditional directional signs and printed brochures in a limited number of languages emerged. However, the rapid growth in the number of pilgrims and their cultural and linguistic diversity necessitated that the Saudi leadership consider more innovative solutions. Hence came the shift towards comprehensive digitalization to meet the needs of millions simultaneously and with high efficiency, thus overcoming the logistical challenges that traditional methods faced.

Where are the interactive screens located in the Grand Mosque?

were carefully planned and distributed the interactive screens in the Grand Mosque across more than 70 key locations that experience high traffic from pilgrims and Umrah performers. These strategic locations include:

Expansion of the circumambulation area: to serve those performing Tawaf and to provide guidance related to the rules of Tawaf.
The Saudi portico: which represents a large area that can accommodate huge numbers of worshippers.
King Fahd Expansion: To facilitate traffic flow and provide quick fatwas.
The third Saudi expansion: It is the newest and largest, and it has been equipped with the latest smart technologies.

It should be noted that these screens are under the direct supervision of the Intellectual Security Agency, which ensures the provision of safe and reliable content, and allows visitors quick access to information in their native languages, especially during peak times and heavy traffic.

The strategic dimensions and global impact of digital services

The impact of this technological initiative extends far beyond the local sphere of Mecca, encompassing significant regional and international dimensions. Internationally, these screens, supporting over 42 languages, foster a sense of welcome and belonging among Muslims from around the world, allowing pilgrims to find comprehensive answers to their questions in their native tongue, thus reflecting the universality and inclusiveness of the Islamic message. Regionally, this step underscores Saudi Arabia's pioneering role in harnessing modern technology to serve religious sites and provides a model for managing massive crowds. Locally, these technologies contribute to regulating pedestrian traffic and reducing congestion around traditional fatwa offices, thereby enhancing security and safety within the Grand Mosque.

Key features and benefits of smart screens for pilgrims

This integrated digital system offers a wide range of benefits that positively impact the pilgrim's journey, most notably:

Providing reliable fatwas: Offering accurate legal answers in multiple languages to correct misconceptions and avoid rumors.
Enhancing religious awareness: Enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals and acts of worship with complete insight and peace of mind.
Supporting cultural diversity: Meeting the needs of pilgrims coming from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Environmental sustainability: Reducing reliance on paper printouts and plastic panels, which supports environmental protection efforts.
Improving the quality of services: Integrating awareness services into a responsive and highly efficient digital system.

Keeping pace with Saudi Vision 2030 in developing the Two Holy Mosques

The implementation of these smart technologies is not arbitrary; rather, it is an integral part of the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on the program for serving pilgrims. The Vision aims to host increasing numbers of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims and provide world-class services befitting the status of the Two Holy Mosques. Through continuous investment in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, the Kingdom demonstrates its unwavering commitment to harnessing all available resources to disseminate moderate Islamic knowledge, based on the values of moderation and balance, and to enrich the spiritual and religious experience of all who visit the Holy Mosque.