Makkah in 2021 , a High-Tech Hajj ! Artificial intelligence and technology was given pilgrims to Makkah a high quality experience
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Hajj is restricted to 60,000 pilgrims, all coming from within the Kingdom.
For five days every year, the population of Saudi Arabia increases by 3 million. That’s when Muslims visit Mecca for one of the religion’s most sacred rites: the hajj. Most cities aren’t built with that kind of surge capacity. And as the tragic stampede at this year’s gathering showed, at a certain density those crowds can become dangerous. So the Saudis have, over the years, turned to a series of the world’s best architects and designers to try to keep millions of pilgrims safe, healthy, awed, and (a few of them) very, very comfortable — while honoring the tenets of Islam. The result is a city of carefully regulated experiences, with more work yet to be done.
However, with the uncertainty of Coronavirus still prevalent, all Muslims outside of Saudi Arabia will not be able to travel to the kingdom to take part in the pilgrimage.
The official Saudi Arabian Ministry released a statement saying that they were limiting this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to just 60,000 citizens and residents, 59,000 more than in 2020 when the pandemic was at its peak.
Additionally, those who attend must be free from illness and between the ages of 18 and 65.
Saudi Arabia announces successful completion of Hajj 2021
Security, Hajj and health officials have confirmed that all their plans were successfully carried out, and no serious health issues were recorded.
Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that the health plan for this year’s Hajj was a success, with no COVID-19 infection cases identified.
A High-Tech Hajj !
The yearly pilgrimage to Makkah is considered the world’s largest human gathering, with almost 2.5 million pilgrims in 2019. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Hajj is restricted to 60,000 pilgrims, all coming from within the Kingdom.
When Saudi pilgrims arrived, they had direct access to smart cards, smart bracelets, and a smart robot service — all intended to make Hajj a more convenient experience.
The features of the smart cards, introduced by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, include near-field communication (NFC) and barcodes that will hold personal, medical, and residence information. They will also guide pilgrims to their residences in the holy sites.
Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the authority was working to put in place all possible health precautions, while also ensuring that the Hajj rituals can take place, the experience is enriched, and proper hospitality is provided in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. He added that the presidency’s plans was based on several pillars that highlight the values of generosity and hospitality in providing services to the pilgrims.
Regarding the provision of water to pilgrims, Al-Sudais said that the presidency hand out bottles of sterilized Zamzam water.
The latest artificial intelligence technology was employed to distribute the water using robots and high-tech smart vehicles, he added, in accordance with precautionary procedures.
Al-Sudais said the presidency provided more than 800 manual and electric vehicles to help people move around within the Grand Mosque and its courtyards and make it easier for the elderly and the disabled pilgrims to perform their rituals.
Al-Sudais also revealed that about 5,000 workers have been recruited to sterilize the Grand Mosque, its courtyards and other facilities 10 times a day, using more than 60,000 litres of disinfectant and the latest cleaning technologies.
Rihab Bousnina
Founder & COO WelcomeIT , Business Economist
