Saudi Arabia is using smart technologies, drones and AI-driven platforms to provide services to nearly two million Muslim pilgrims during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
In an effort to safeguard the sanctity of Hajj and ensure the pilgrimage is conducted in a safe and organized manner, Saudi authorities have started deploying drones via the holy city of Makkah. This cutting-edge surveillance measure is considered to be the most vital part of a broader strategy to prevent individuals from entering the city and performing Hajj without official permits, a practice that not only violates Saudi law but also poses serious logistical and safety risks.
According to reports from Saudi state media, these drones are proving highly effective in monitoring vast areas of the city, including hidden entry routes and gathering spots. Every day, hundreds of violators are reportedly being apprehended thanks to the real-time aerial monitoring provided by these unmanned systems.
In one recent incident, four Indonesian nationals were detained on suspicion of doing promotion of a fake Hajj permit campaign. Authorities have carried out the raid later at their place, resulting in the arrest of 14 more individuals, none of whom had valid documentation to display performance for the pilgrimage.
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The drone surveillance system accompanies a bigger network of smart security initiatives which are aimed at maintaining law and order during the Hajj season, which typically glances the arrival of over two million pilgrims from all over the globe.
These efforts are highly important in a post-COVID world, where crowd control and the prevention of unauthorized access have taken on heightened importance.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally massive development, Saudi Arabia is also using Artificial Intelligence to improve services for authorized pilgrims.
At Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has now installed 20 electronic gates (e-gates) to streamline immigration and entry procedures.
These high-tech gates are integrated with passport-reading and fingerprint scanning devices, are designed to significantly minimize wait times and enhance the travel experience for incoming pilgrims. The airport now presents over 30 passport-scanning machines and four biometric fingerprint units, making it one of the most technologically advanced entry points in the Kingdom.
To ensure seamless operations, SDAIA has deployed the particular type of technical teams on-site. These teams are tasked with providing immediate support in case of system glitches or breakdowns, guaranteeing that the immigration process remains uninterrupted even during peak hours.
This dual approach is assisting in tightening security through drones while helping in sorting out entry procedures by executing AI—reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to managing Hajj with precision, safety, and care. As the pilgrimage continues to emerge in scale and complexity, the Kingdom appears increasingly prepared to blend tradition with innovation in its stewardship of Islam’s holiest rituals.