SAUDI ARABIA DEPLOYS DRONES, AI TO ENHANCE SECURITY DURING 2026 HAJJ PILGRIMAGE

Sat 23 May 2026:

As millions of Muslims get ready for this year’s Hajj, Saudi Arabia is ramping up its use of artificial intelligence and advanced digital infrastructure to strengthen crowd management, boost operational efficiency, and deliver a safer, smoother pilgrimage experience for worshippers from around the world.

The Kingdom’s initiatives are being spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which is deploying a comprehensive suite of integrated AI-powered platforms and digital services across the entire Hajj journey — from the moment pilgrims depart their home countries, through their arrival in Saudi Arabia, to their departure after completing the pilgrimage.

“Our goal is to ensure that AI operates quietly in the background while making the pilgrim journey safer, smoother and more efficient at every stage,” SDAIA official spokesperson Majed al-Shehry told local media.

One of the main areas of focus this Hajj season is crowd management around the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

According to SDAIA, platforms such as Baseer and Sawaher – developed in partnership with the Ministry of Interior – use computer vision, thermal imaging and AI-driven analytics to monitor crowd density and movement patterns in real time.

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The systems analyze live video feeds and surveillance data to identify congestion points, predict crowd surges and support faster decision-making by authorities.
Multilingual robots

Saudi authorities are deploying drones, artificial intelligence, and advanced surveillance technologies during the 2026 Hajj season to monitor crowds, detect violations, and prevent unauthorized entry into the holy sites, the Saudi newspaper Okaz said on Friday.

The report said the technologies form part of an integrated security and organizational system aimed at ensuring the safety of millions of pilgrims who gather annually in the holy sites.

Saudi authorities are using drones to track and apprehend violators of Hajj regulations, alongside fixed-wing aircraft tasked with monitoring illegal entry attempts into the holy sites under the slogan “No Hajj without a permit,” according to the report.

The newspaper said drones help security forces monitor large areas quickly and efficiently, allowing field teams to receive immediate alerts about suspicious movements and infiltration attempts.

The system also includes smart surveillance networks, high-resolution cameras, and thermal imaging devices.

Authorities are also relying on AI-powered crowd analysis systems to predict congestion before it occurs and redirect pilgrims away from overcrowded routes, while facial recognition technology is being used to identify individuals and to strengthen security measures.

Smart digital services for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is also expanding the use of AI-powered digital services aimed at assisting pilgrims throughout their journey.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have benefited from the Mecca Route Initiative, which uses advanced digital verification and intelligent data processing technologies and is currently operating across 17 airports in 10 countries.

The initiative enables pilgrims to complete several travel and entry procedures before arriving in Saudi Arabia, including biometric enrolment and ticket processing.

The Tawakkalna and Nusuk applications are also playing a central role during Hajj this year, offering more than 1,300 digital services designed to support pilgrims.

Services include digital Hajj permits, navigation tools, weather updates, emergency assistance, ambulance requests, Qibla direction services and digital identification through the Nusuk Card, which contains medical records and emergency contact information.

Vision for the future

Saudi officials say the continued integration of AI technologies into Hajj reflects the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to position itself as a global leader in digital transformation and smart governance.

The expanding use of smart surveillance systems, predictive analytics, digital identity services, robotics and automated operations is expected to play an increasing role in future Hajj seasons as Saudi Arabia continues investing in smart city infrastructure in Mecca and Madinah.

“The continued integration of AI technologies into Hajj operations reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to position the Kingdom as a global leader in digital transformation and smart governance, while improving the experience and safety of pilgrims from around the world,” SDAIA said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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