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AI, Integrated Tech Solutions for Hajj 2021

Robots distributing Zamzam water among the many robots that serve pilgrims and work on sterilization and other services (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Robots distributing Zamzam water among the many robots that serve pilgrims and work on sterilization and other services (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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AI, Integrated Tech Solutions for Hajj 2021

Robots distributing Zamzam water among the many robots that serve pilgrims and work on sterilization and other services (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Robots distributing Zamzam water among the many robots that serve pilgrims and work on sterilization and other services (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Robots, interactive screens, and quality tech solutions are at the disposal of Hajj pilgrims this year, with deployed AI systems being part of a broader Saudi technology, innovation, and data revolution designed to raise the performance of Hajj services.

Such technological integration matches Saudi Arabia’s firm policy for facilitating the spiritual journey of pilgrims visiting Islam’s holiest sites in the Kingdom.

Pilgrims flocking to Makkah to perform the rites of Hajj 2021 will be met with a comprehensive package of technical projects and initiatives reliant on coexistence with digitalization.

For example, a tech-reinforced security gate has been set up at Mekkah’s Shimisi entrance. The gate is fully equipped with intelligent technologies that aid in vetting and inspecting pilgrims over 16 different tracks with ease.

Besides offering various general services, the gate has significantly shrunk the waiting time for incoming pilgrims, even during peak hours.

Moreover, AI robots are prepared to service pilgrims at holy sites, whether by handing out Zamzam water or sterilizers for pandemic control.

Other than the deployment of machinery, relevant authorities and private agencies have launched a host of applications and programs that seek to raise the quality of services offered to pilgrims and ensuring their journey is safe and taken at ease.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh inaugurated Thursday maintenance and operational projects and initiatives with a total cost of more than SAR 31 million ($8.2 million).

Al-Sheikh affirmed that these projects and initiatives seek to achieve integration and coordination among various agencies to provide the highest standards of safety and service for the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.

The projects include operation and maintenance contracts, installing smart devices to educate and guide pilgrims, and launching the Wi-Fi service in the Namirah Mosque located in Arafat valley.

Authorities will also install 62 screens to broadcast awareness-raising messages in different languages. The ministry will provide 30 interactive screens for the Islamic electronic library.

Additionally, the ministry will activate an automated response system for answering pilgrims’ queries.

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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
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185,000 Yemenis to Benefit from KSrelief-Funded Project

An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)
An active presence of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in all humanitarian aspects within Yemen (United Nations)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), launched a vital $2.25 million project to improve sanitation services for over 185,000 people in Maarib, including host communities and internally displaced persons.
This 12-month initiative aims to provide essential sanitation and hygiene support through enhanced facilities and strengthened local waste management capacity, fostering safer, healthier living conditions and building long-term resilience for communities heavily impacted by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen said, “This project is a lifeline for the people of Maarib, who are facing some of Yemen’s most challenging conditions.”
He added that with hundreds of thousands struggling to access basic sanitation, this initiative provides immediate relief while laying the groundwork for lasting, community-led solutions.
“By providing critical support, we are not only meeting urgent needs but also helping communities regain a sense of dignity, safety, and stability,” Esoev said.
Largest concentration of displaced people
As the area with Yemen’s largest concentration of displaced people, Maarib has become the country’s largest host of internally displaced persons, sheltering nearly 1.6 million people who have fled conflict, insecurity, and deteriorating living conditions across the country.
Once a governorate of 350,000 people, Maarib’s population has now surged to over two million, placing an immense strain on its infrastructure and basic services.
This unprecedented magnitude of displacement has led to overcrowded displacement sites and heightened pressure on local resources, leaving many without access to adequate sanitation, clean water, and waste management systems.
Al Jufainah site alone, Yemen’s largest displacement settlement, hosts more than 73,000 people, many of whom rely on external aid to meet their most basic needs.
Coordinated Response
Recognizing the strain on local resources and the urgent need for expanded sanitation services, IOM, with KSrelief’s substantial funding, is implementing a coordinated response to address these critical needs.
Planned interventions include the construction of 200 household latrines, the rehabilitation of 600 cesspits, and the provision of essential equipment to enhance local waste management.
The project will further support Maarib’s Hygiene Improvement Fund (HIF) with the provision of garbage and vacuum trucks to strengthen waste collection and fecal sludge management, ensuring cleaner, safer environments.
By increasing local capacity and infrastructure, this initiative provides immediate relief and promotes long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for Maarib’s communities.
This partnership with KSrelief is a continuation of its sustained commitment to supporting IOM’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen, where millions face acute needs.
As the project progresses, IOM will continue working closely with local authorities to ensure the delivery of effective, sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions that protect public health, support social stability, and offer hope to those most affected by Yemen’s ongoing crisis.