AI’s Future to Enhance the Hajj and Umrah Experience
Artificial intelligence is a thing nowadays. It is affecting our lives in different ways. It paves its way toward religious traditions now. The advancement of technology is revolutionizing the journey of Umrah and Hajj for Muslims. To perform this spiritual journey conveniently, AI provides multiple solutions. The experience of pilgrims becomes smooth.
The Ministry of the Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia entered the AI. They realize that technology is essential if they have to overcome the problems of pilgrims. The experience of Umrah will improve this way. Many solutions are streamlining to facilitate millions of Muslims by 2030 using AI.
Using AI for the Umrah and Hajj in the COVID-19
The pandemic affected the world. Muslims couldn’t visit their Holy Kaaba to perform their religious norms. They gather at Mecca to perform Hajj and Umrah. Millions of Muslims remained away from the sacred place because of COVID-19 restrictions.
When the sudden outbreak spread in different parts of the world, there arose the need for artificial intelligence. Getting the Umrah Visa also became a challenge. There can be various solutions to cater to these needs using technology.
In 2021, the kingdom used artificial intelligence for the safety of pilgrims during the pandemic. Their ministry intends to use different tech solutions like interactive screens. It can help limit contact with individuals when they perform the rituals.
Online portals help people to receive Hajj applications and accept Umrah packages. Pilgrims can get themselves registered online quickly. It aids in reducing the contact points before they come to perform pilgrimage. To offer assistance, the electronic library installed interactive screens in 30 places.
Every Muslim who is able is required to perform Hajj once in life. As Covid-19 cases went down, they allowed some vaccinated pilgrims. Those people performed this Islamic tradition. So, Saudi Arabia put in all the efforts for pilgrims. They effectively use well-intended solutions of tech and AI.
Using AI to Manage Crowds at Holy Sites
In the event of crowd management, they developed the algorithms of AI. Every year, many pilgrims visit the holy places, including the two mosques. Approx. 2.5 million people perform the Hajj rituals. AI deployed in Mecca and Madina that week.
The authorities are making their efforts to receive more visitors. Achieving the target of enhancing the capacity of pilgrims is there in the 2030 Vision. Other upgraded services using advanced technology are also in the streamline.
Along with technological help, the manual effort of countless hours is required. An army of personnel is also involved in those efforts who work around the clock. It is to provide the best effort to the visitors who aim to perform the pilgrimage.
AI technologies are doing their work to keep in check the crowd in holy places. They wanted to keep the situation of the crowd under their control. So, they made effective decision-making. The technologies ensured that there was a correct number of people present. Around those holy sites, required pilgrims are there.
All the contingencies regarding the crowd were dealt with swiftly without disruption. NCAI cooperated in developing solutions using artificial intelligence to apply nationally in various sectors.
The ministry devised multiple plans to manage the crowd. They will monitor the people while checking in the holy mosques and going out in real-time. They are about to discuss this with various stakeholders. The central theme is the future of AI and the kingdom’s contribution.
Benefits of Smart Cards during Hajj and Umrah
Saudi Arabia introduced smart cards in 2021 for pilgrims. They recorded the personal information of pilgrims and their health conditions. According to that record, they received transport services, hotels, and camps. It also included a payment facility. The smart cards helped the ministry to locate the places where there was a crowd in Makkah.
In that year, the ministry allowed 60000 pilgrims to perform Hajj. AI robots aid in monitoring each pilgrim’s location. They also used to disinfect and sterilize the holiest sites of Muslims. They regularly monitored the surrounding areas and buildings. The deployed reports also interacted with pilgrims to guide them. They could also respond to the queries regarding rituals that pilgrims can ask.
Access to Free Wi-Fi
They included free Wi-Fi as a preventive measure. At the Shimisi entrance in Makkah, they set up a security gate that is technologically reinforced. It can inspect 15 tracks from where pilgrims can pass. This technological gate from where pilgrims enter works well. Even during busy hours, it reduced the waiting time. Hence, it facilitated the journey of pilgrims.
AI Multilingual Support
At the well of holy water, Zamzam, AI robots performed the duty. They hand out water to pilgrims to reduce physical contact. The authorities installed 62 screens to guide people. The screens communicated the dos and don’ts during the pilgrimage. They ensured that different cultures of pilgrims could understand. They use many languages to broadcast their messages on those screens.
Budget Friendly Package
The authorities provided Cheap Umrah Packages. It’s to offer ease and stress-free Umrah and Hajj trips. They inaugurated projects of maintenance and operations that cost SAR 31 million. They established these projects to provide top-quality service. Several agencies coordinated the process.
Forex Cards for Hajj and Umrah
Financial institutions offer forex cards for Umrah Hajj to ease people carrying money. They eliminate the need for cash to take with them. Now, you can be free of worries regarding the safety of your money. The recharging feature is also in it. You can also withdraw the cash you carry on the card. Moreover, you can also make your payments on the card. Ensure to issue the card in Saudi Riyal to use during the pilgrimage.
Conclusion
During the pilgrimage, AI provided ideal solutions. The technological advancements resolved various issues and will offer more in the future. AI also deploys to help in resource allocation, i.e., distributing food and providing accommodations to the pilgrims. It transformed the experience of pilgrimage using AI solutions. We will see various benefits, including better Umrah packages 2023 and managing other problems using AI products. They resolved many issues of Umrah and Hajj with the aid of technological advancements. Their presence pleasantly surprised the AI robots at holy sites.
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