The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) in Medina has announced the implementation of advanced artificial intelligence technology, on Wednesday 11 June, to enhance crowd management at one of the world’s holiest sites.
This initiative involves the installation of sensor readers at the mosque’s entrances, designed to monitor the number of visitors and track crowd flows in real time.
By utilizing smart cameras and sensors, the authorities can effectively manage entry and exit movements, ensuring a safer experience for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, especially during peak times.
These technologies specifically allow for precise monitoring of crowds, helping to identify areas of congestion and optimize visitor distribution within key locations like the Mataf and the Mas’a.
This real-time data also enables decision-makers to streamline movement and improve safety protocols, creating a more organized environment for worshippers.
The ability to analyze historical data further supports the mosque’s operational efficiency, allowing for timely adjustments to crowd management strategies.
By focusing on data-driven decision-making, the Grand Mosque aims to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency, underscoring the importance of modern solutions in managing large gatherings.
Reports on the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia highlight increasingly dangerous conditions due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Heat stress is a primary concern for health officials, especially after over 1,300 pilgrims died in 2023, many of whom were unregistered and lacked access to cooling facilities.
Despite spending billions on safety enhancements like cooled roads, crowd-control systems, and drones for monitoring, past tragedies continue to cast a shadow over the event.
The 2015 stampede resulted in over 717 deaths, and in 1985, more than 1,700 people died, primarily due to heat.
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