Saudi Arabia deploys advanced tech to manage crowds at Grand Mosque during Hajj

Dubai: As millions of people prepare to converge on Islam’s holiest site for the 1446 AH Hajj season, Saudi authorities have introduced a sophisticated series of technological systems designed to enhance the management of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

In a landmark initiative led by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, an integrated network of ground-based sensors and entrance-reading devices is being utilised to monitor and direct crowd movements with unprecedented accuracy.

The technology is aimed at raising operational efficiency during one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

The newly implemented system combines smart surveillance cameras with motion-sensing capabilities to provide real-time monitoring of entry and exit points.

This dual-layer system not only tracks movement patterns but also identifies congestion hotspots, thereby enabling faster and more informed crowd control decisions.

The deployment focuses particularly on the mosque’s main entrances and exits, as well as on the upper floors of the Mataf (the area surrounding the Kaaba) and the Mas’a (the corridor between Safa and Marwa), both of which experience significant foot traffic during peak pilgrimage rituals.

The data-driven system is set to support high-precision decision-making, enabling authorities to maintain optimal crowd distribution and implement targeted interventions during peak hours. It is also expected to significantly enhance safety measures, minimizing risks of overcrowding and related incidents.

Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE