Interactive screens in the Two Holy Mosques broadcast religious content in 42 languages during Ramadan
In a significant step reflecting the rapid technological advancements in services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques, the General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina has intensified its awareness and guidance efforts during the holy month of Ramadan by launching a sophisticated system of interactive smart screens. This initiative aims to accommodate the millions of visitors who flock to the Two Holy Mosques during Ramadan, and to convey the moderate Islamic message to all visitors, regardless of their language or cultural background.
Digital transformation and serving the pilgrims
This step comes as a continuation of the digital transformation journey underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the "Serving the Guests of God" program. Technology is no longer merely an aid, but has become a fundamental pillar in crowd management and guidance. Historically, the process of issuing religious rulings and providing guidance relied entirely on field offices and direct contact, which posed a challenge given the enormous numbers. However, the introduction of smart technologies and artificial intelligence has helped bridge this gap, enabling reliable religious information to reach the largest possible number of people in record time.
Legal content in 42 international languages
The Undersecretary for Intellectual and Awareness Affairs, Sheikh Ali bin Hamed Al-Nafi’i, explained that these interactive screens represent a vital technological initiative launched by the Presidency to serve visitors and pilgrims. This system is distinguished by its ability to broadcast religious and guidance content in 42 international languages, thus breaking down language barriers and facilitating the understanding of rituals and the performance of worship with peace of mind for pilgrims of all nationalities. The digital platform aims to provide religious rulings and guidance, correct misconceptions, and emphasize the values of moderation and balance, which are at the heart of the message of the Two Holy Mosques.
Strategic locations and comprehensive coverage
The Presidency ensured the distribution of these smart screens was based on thorough field studies to cover the most densely populated and crowded areas. Key distribution locations include the Mataf expansion, the Saudi arcade, the King Fahd expansion, and the third Saudi expansion. This carefully planned geographical distribution guarantees that the service reaches worshippers and pilgrims wherever they are, sparing them the trouble of searching for traditional fatwa offices and saving them time and effort, especially during peak times in the blessed nights of Ramadan.
Impact of the initiative and leadership directives
This comprehensive digital plan falls under the directives of His Excellency the President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, who consistently emphasizes the importance of leveraging modern technologies to enhance awareness services. This initiative is expected to contribute to raising religious awareness among pilgrims, reducing congestion at guidance offices, and unifying fatwas and sources of information to ensure the accuracy of the religious guidance provided. The Presidency is witnessing unprecedented technological and informational activity this season, covering more than 70 field locations, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to providing the highest quality services to the pilgrims.
