Scouts enhance crowd management during Hajj with modern digital tools
In a pioneering step towards technological transformation, the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association continues its tireless efforts to provide the best possible services to pilgrims. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through the preparatory camps the association holds in Mecca and the Holy Sites, where crowd management during Hajj is a key pillar for ensuring the safety and smooth flow of pilgrims. In this context, a specialized training workshop was recently held for scout group leaders and their assistants, aiming to enhance their proficiency in using the latest technologies.
A proud history of Saudi scouts in serving pilgrims
The role of scouts in the holy sites is not a recent phenomenon, but rather extends back decades. Saudi scouts began serving pilgrims in the late 1970s (Hijri calendar), initially limited to guiding lost pilgrims and providing basic assistance. As the years passed and the number of pilgrims increased, the scouts' duties evolved to encompass broader and more complex areas, becoming an integral part of the national system for serving the guests of God. This rich historical legacy has made Saudi scouts a model of organized volunteer work, enabling them to accumulate vast experience in dealing with millions of people within a limited geographical area and short timeframe.
Using technology to improve crowd management during Hajj
Building on this rich history, the Scouts today strive to integrate modern technology into the core of their work. The recent training workshop focused on enhancing the use of digital tools in project management, contributing to improved planning and monitoring, and supporting operational and field activities during the 1447 AH Hajj season. The workshop included intensive practical training on modern digital platforms designed for crowd management during Hajj, most notably the Kanban board, which is used to organize, distribute, and accurately track daily tasks. Training also covered the Gantt chart, used for managing schedules and tracking field implementation phases. Furthermore, the workshop included a review of mechanisms for preparing technical reports and building digital dashboards to measure performance indicators and monitor work progress in real time.
The expected impact of developing scouting work mechanisms
Adopting these digital methodologies has significant implications and impacts on several levels. Locally, standardizing operational methodologies among the scouting groups deployed across the holy sites contributes to rapid, data-driven decision-making, reducing risks and enhancing preparedness. Regionally and internationally, Saudi Arabia's success in leveraging technology to manage millions of pilgrims reinforces its leading position as a global benchmark in managing large gatherings. These developmental steps reflect the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes serving the pilgrims and facilitating their spiritual journey, relying on the expertise of its scouting members equipped with knowledge and technology.
