Saudi Arabia launches largest-ever Hajj plan, embracing AI and digital tools to elevate pilgrim experience

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has officially launched its largest and most comprehensive operational plan to date for the Hajj pilgrimage season of 1446 AH (2025), underscoring its commitment to enhancing the experience of millions of pilgrims who visit Islam’s holiest sites each year.

The plan, unveiled by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque, features 120 initiatives and 10 smart tracks designed to enrich the digital experience of worshipers.

It also includes 50 scientific and intellectual programs and deploys more than 2,000 trained Saudi staff to support the anticipated influx of pilgrims.

Additionally, the plan enhances seven specialised enrichment tracks aimed at communicating the moderate message of Hajj to the world in multiple languages.

In his address during the launch, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, emphasised that Saudi Arabia has mobilised all resources to serve the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques. He highlighted the Kingdom’s focus on providing a distinguished pilgrimage experience through digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Al Sudais noted that the 1446 AH Hajj operational plan centers on digital and smart transformation, including communication with visitors in various languages.

He further stated that the moderate message of the Hajj will be showcased through interactive, multilingual digital platforms, reflecting the objectives of Sharia and promoting balanced Islamic values.

The plan is built around three main pillars: honouring the sanctity of time by affirming the spiritual significance and global message of Hajj; enhancing the sacred status of the holy sites; and glorifying the holiness of the place.

A key objective is to disseminate the guidance of the Two Holy Mosques globally by offering a deeply spiritual experience rooted in quality, excellence, and innovation. This is to be delivered within a structured, institutional framework that supports the message of moderation and communicates its impact in multiple languages around the world.

-      Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE.