SDAIA Deploys AI To Enhance Umrah Services Across Ramadan Pilgrimage

SDAIA is using data and artificial intelligence to support Umrah performers during Ramadan through digital tools such as the Tawakkalna application, which issues Umrah and prayer permits, displays capacity levels, and sends availability notifications, helping organise access to the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa throughout the holy month.

The Tawakkalna platform is linked with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah through the Manasik portal, enabling real-time updates and live broadcasts from the two holy mosques, while also providing access to the Holy Quran, Qibla direction, prayer times, I'tikaf permits, and the occupancy status of the Mataf and Sa'i areas.

SDAIA supports Umrah journeys from arrival to departure by offering continuous technical assistance at the Kingdom’s air, land, and sea ports, including King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where teams supervise system readiness, handle faults quickly, and streamline entry procedures during the peak Ramadan period.

The authority’s work aligns with Saudi leadership’s commitment to serving the two holy mosques, as SDAIA cooperates with the Ministry of Interior and the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security to apply data and artificial intelligence solutions that improve service efficiency and strengthen safety measures at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

Through its partnership with the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security, SDAIA aids crowd management by counting worshippers entering and exiting the Grand Mosque gates and tracking density in the Mataf and surrounding courtyards, enabling effective capacity management and smoother movement for Umrah performers and worshippers during the busy Ramadan period.

Supporting the wider digital transformation agenda, SDAIA works with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque to provide secure digital solutions, and Tawakkalna also offers global and local prayer times via a widget with countdowns and alerts, highlighting the Kingdom’s aim to improve digital services for pilgrims.

With inputs from SPA