Saudi Arabia has introduced new digital services for Umrah pilgrims allowing them to check real-time crowd conditions at the in Makkah and Madinah through their phones.
The new services aim to help visitors plan their journeys, avoid crowded areas and choose suitable times for performing religious rituals.
Through the digital service, pilgrims can access the latest crowd information for the Tawaf area around the Holy Kaaba and the route between Safa and Marwah.
The facility allows visitors to assess crowd levels before arriving at the Grand Mosque and plan their visits accordingly.
The system also features an interactive digital map of both holy mosques, helping visitors locate important landmarks, identify available facilities and find suitable routes to their destinations.
According to the details of the initiative, the digital map includes around 950 key locations and landmarks. At the Grand Mosque, these include the Holy Kaaba, Maqam Ibrahim, Safa and Marwah. At the Prophet’s Mosque, the map identifies important locations such as the Rawdah, the Prophet’s Chamber, prayer niches and the pulpit.
The platform also offers more than 100,000 possible routes, organised into over 17 categories, enabling visitors to find directions to different facilities and services according to their needs.
More than 650 QR codes have also been incorporated into the system. By scanning these codes, visitors can quickly access information about specific locations, facilities and available services.
The interactive mapping system is connected to more than six digital display screens installed at the two holy mosques, allowing visitors to view locations and directions on-site.
The service also caters to people with disabilities by identifying accessible locations and suitable routes to facilitate movement within the holy sites.
Saudi authorities said the technology-based initiative is part of broader efforts to improve the experience of Umrah pilgrims and worshippers, manage crowds and facilitate movement within the two holy mosques.
The new services are expected to help visitors plan their worship more efficiently and make better use of their time during their stay.
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