Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Advanced smart technologies are being deployed at the Grand Mosque to strengthen crowd management and enhance the safety and experience of pilgrims, using intelligent counting systems that monitor visitor movement in real time.

The systems track the number of worshippers entering and exiting key locations, including entrances, corridors, floors, and courtyards, through sensors and live data monitoring. This allows for precise measurement of crowd density and movement patterns throughout the mosque.

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the intelligent counting systems represent a core technological pillar supporting effective crowd control operations.

According to the authority, real-time data generated by the systems enables field teams to make faster and more accurate decisions, respond immediately to changes in crowd density, and address emerging challenges on the ground.

The smart solutions also help guide the flow of visitors smoothly across different areas of the mosque, ensuring balanced distribution and reducing congestion, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and comfort for worshippers.

In addition, the systems allow for early detection of high-density zones, enabling proactive intervention to prevent bottlenecks within an integrated operational framework that combines technology-driven monitoring with field readiness.

The authority said the deployment of these advanced technologies reflects its ongoing efforts to harness cutting-edge solutions to serve pilgrims, enhance service quality, and improve the overall worship experience at the Two Holy Mosques, in line with broader development objectives.