Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The Grand Mosque in Makkah recorded its highest single-day number of Umrah pilgrims, with nearly half a million worshipers performing the pilgrimage in a single day on Wednesday.

This unprecedented influx underscores the importance of advanced crowd management systems to ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims within Islam’s holiest site.

In response to the increasing numbers, the General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has introduced a monitoring system using smart sensors and advanced cameras at the mosque’s main entrances.

This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency by tracking pilgrim flows in real-time and optimizing crowd distribution in coordination with relevant authorities.

The newly installed smart cameras detect entry movements, allowing for instant monitoring of congestion points and enabling precise crowd control.

This dual system — comprising sensors and AI-powered cameras — helps regulate the distribution of pilgrims across key areas such as the Mataf (circumambulation area) and the Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah), particularly during peak hours.

By relying on real-time and historical data, the system facilitates strategic decision-making to ensure seamless entry and exit for worshippers.

The initiative marks a significant step toward improving crowd management, particularly as the mosque experiences record-breaking visitor numbers.

The authority confirmed that the technology has been deployed at major entry points, with plans for gradual expansion to further enhance crowd monitoring and movement control within the Grand Mosque.

This move aligns with broader efforts to integrate technology in managing the pilgrimage experience and ensuring the highest standards of safety and organization for visitors.