Launch of the simultaneous translation device in the Two Holy Mosques to serve pilgrims in 17 languages
In a pioneering step reflecting the ongoing technological advancements in serving pilgrims, the General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced the activation of a simultaneous translation system in the Two Holy Mosques. This initiative falls under the "In Their Languages" program, which aims to provide accurate and rapid translation services to pilgrims, including the translation of inquiries, awareness messages, and guidance into 17 international languages. This step effectively contributes to enriching the religious and intellectual experience of pilgrims throughout their stay in the holy sites, ensuring the performance of rituals with ease and convenience.
The historical development of services for pilgrims
Throughout history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on facilitating the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages for all pilgrims. In the past, translation and guidance efforts relied primarily on guides and those who spoke a limited number of languages, posing a significant challenge to the ever-increasing millions of pilgrims arriving annually. With technological advancements, the Kingdom began broadcasting Friday and Arafat sermons in multiple languages through platforms such as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Project for Simultaneous Translation and the "Manarat Al-Haramain" platform. Today, the launch of this device represents a qualitative leap, seamlessly blending the Kingdom's long-standing tradition of serving the Two Holy Mosques with modern technological innovation to meet the needs of pilgrims from around the world with unprecedented ease.
How does the simultaneous translation system work in the Two Holy Mosques?
The General Presidency for Religious Affairs explained that the simultaneous translation system at the Two Holy Mosques utilizes highly advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The system provides instant translation of educational and guidance content into 17 international languages, employing state-of-the-art systems that process audio and text with exceptional accuracy. This technological advancement facilitates direct communication with pilgrims of various nationalities and ensures the clear flow of religious and guidance messages, enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals with complete peace of mind and devotion.
The local and international impact of religious digital transformation
The impact of this development extends beyond simply facilitating individual communication; it encompasses broad organizational and international dimensions. Locally, overcoming language barriers contributes to improved crowd management and safer guiding within the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, reducing instances of stampedes or confusion resulting from misunderstandings. Regionally and internationally, this initiative reflects the Kingdom's progressive image and its remarkable ability to harness technology to serve Islam and Muslims. It also plays a pivotal role in highlighting the moderate message of the Two Holy Mosques and disseminating the values of tolerance, peace, and humanity to the entire world, transcending diverse languages and cultures.
Keeping pace with the leadership's aspirations and the Kingdom's vision
This technological activation comes as an extension of ongoing efforts to utilize advanced technologies to enhance religious services. The Presidency of Religious Affairs affirms its continued commitment to supporting high-quality technological initiatives that achieve the goals of digital transformation, in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership – may God protect them – to provide the best and highest quality services to the pilgrims. Enabling pilgrims to benefit from guidance services in their native languages is among the most important priorities, ensuring a complete spiritual experience free from any language barriers.
