Smart Portable Devices To Streamline Hajj, Umrah Services For Makkah Route Initiative

Saudi Arabia has long been dedicated to serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, welcoming millions of pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah. The Saudi Vision 2030 has significantly improved facilities, service quality, cultural experiences, and the promotion of Islamic identity. The Kingdom's security, service, and logistics sectors have consistently managed the crowds in Madinah and Makkah effectively.

The Ministry of the Interior has launched the Makkah Route Initiative as part of the Pilgrims Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030. This initiative aims to enhance service quality for pilgrims from their departure airports in various countries. The initiative has established a strong concept of service honor over the years.

As pilgrim numbers have increased annually, the Ministry of the Interior has invested in the Makkah Route Initiative this year (1445H/2024), marking its sixth year of operation. The initiative employs portable devices, specifically fingerprint biometric tablets enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovative digital solutions at 11 airports in seven countries.

The participating countries include Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, and the Ivory Coast. These devices streamline procedures by capturing vital characteristics and passenger photos, reading passport data, and facilitating services for elderly and disabled individuals with high safety and reliability standards.

The portable device is equipped with a fingerprint sensor, passport reader, front and rear cameras, and a network for processing beneficiaries' data within the Ministry of the Interior's systems. This system verifies travel and visa document safety and supports passport operators at ports during peak seasons to increase capacity and reduce congestion.

This effort aims to transform temporary ports into international ports to enhance efficiency. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) collaborates on this project to ensure its success.

Saudi Arabia's commitment to improving pilgrim experiences through technological advancements reflects its dedication to serving visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. The Makkah Route Initiative exemplifies this commitment by leveraging AI and digital solutions to streamline processes and enhance service quality.

With inputs from SPA