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Rabat – Authorities in Saudi Arabia are deploying an array of modern technology to once again allow pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals. Drones, digital technology, and robots are used to try to safeguard pilgrims who once again wish to perform their Hajj rituals.
The once-in-a-lifetime experience of performing the Hajj pilgrimage is a key staple of Islamic beliefs. As one of the five pillars of Islam, every Muslim is expected to make the trip to Mecca and Medina at least once in their life, if their health and finances allow it. As such, the Hajj draws millions of pilgrims from across the world each year.
The important Islamic tradition was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic as governments around the world closed their borders and instituted preventive measures domestically. Saudi Arabia was no exception as the country has reported over half a million infections since the start of the pandemic.
In an effort to slowly regain normalcy, Saudi Arabia this year is allowing a limited number of vaccinated pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals. Authorities have set a limit of 60,000 pilgrims and are continuing to bar foreign Muslims from the pilgrimage over fears the two Saudi holy cities could become a hotspot for international COVID-19 infections.
While 60,000 pilgrims constitutes a large increase from last year’s estimated 1,000 Hajj participants, the event commonly draws between two and three million people. Even for the small number of vaccinated pilgrims performing Hajj this year, measures are stringent, with technology being implemented to facilitate a safe pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia is using electronic “Hajj cards,” colored routing and registration, and various types of robots to enable the Hajj to continue.
Pilgrims are expected to register online when they are granted a specific colored card. These cards in turn indicate which routes the person is allowed to take. Once participants have started their rituals, they come into contact with several technological solutions intended to ensure their safety.
The location of each pilgrim is tightly monitored, with robots deployed to continuously sterilize the vast buildings housing some of Islam’s most holy sites, and robots even deliver water from the Zamzam well at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
As Saudi Arabia attempts to use technology to safeguard the sacred rituals, millions of Muslims around the world will eagerly await a return of the Hajj as an annual pilgrimage that welcomes Muslims from around the world.
