Remarkable Progress at the Two Holy Mosques: Major Facilities for Pilgrims Unveiled
RIYADH – The ongoing digital initiatives at the Grand Mosque in Makkah have led to significant improvements in services provided to pilgrims and streamlined administrative operations, as part of a broader plan to make it one of the world’s smartest sites by 2030 .
According to the Deputy CEO for Digital Transformation at the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Dr. Mohammed Al-Saqr, the authority’s smart mobility platform has automated transit services and integrated electronic booking and payment systems . This has resulted in a drastic reduction in pilgrim waiting times, from approximately two hours three years ago to just nine minutes during the most recent Hajj season .
Digital technology has also modernized iftar operations at the Grand Mosque. Under the new system, over 38 million meals are distributed with transaction values nearing 500 million Saudi Riyals . Furthermore, through automation, integration with the national Ehsan charity platform, and third-party oversight, administrative clearance times have dropped from eight days to about eight minutes .
The scope of smart technology is being expanded across the Two Holy Mosques. The ‘Rafed’ platform connects 18 government entities, while an interactive digital mapping system handles approximately 600,000 cases annually, catering to nearly 10 percent of the six million annual visitors .
