AI-Powered ‘Smart Assistant’ App Launched at Masjid al-Nabawi to Facilitate Hajj Pilgrims

Madinah: AI-Powered ‘Smart Assistant’ App Launched at Masjid al-Nabawi to Facilitate Hajj Pilgrims.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has launched a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-based “Smart Assistant” app at Masjid al-Nabawi to help guide and facilitate Hajj pilgrims. The initiative was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head of Religious Affairs at the Haramain.

The launch ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Dr Abdul Bari bin Awwad Al-Thubaiti, Imam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Nabawi and supervisor of the Athraa Program and Library of the Prophet’s Mosque. The Smart Assistant app offers multilingual support to guide pilgrims through religious rituals and services with greater ease and accessibility.

The presidency has also rolled out its Hajj operational plan for the year, comprising 120 strategic actions aimed at enhancing pilgrim services. These include digital guides, multilingual educational resources, and a series of intellectual and spiritual programmes.

In addition, an upgraded version of the interactive robot “Manarah” has been introduced, now supporting more languages and expanded functionality to assist visitors effectively.

Meanwhile, the Royal Commission for Makkah and Holy Sites has announced the completion of all development projects related to Hajj 1446H. These include the expansion of pedestrian paths in central Makkah and a comprehensive strategy to manage crowd flow during the pilgrimage.

The official “Makkah Bus” programme has also been launched, deploying 400 buses across 12 dedicated routes to streamline pilgrim transportation.

In the sacred sites of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, significant infrastructure upgrades have been made. At Muzdalifah, a 170,000-square-metre soft-path track has been constructed, while Mina now hosts a 200-bed hospital and 71 medical centres, all of which will remain fully operational throughout the Hajj days to ensure prompt healthcare services.