Smart Hajj: How authorities are preparing for crowd control

Crowd control for the pilgrimage includes carefully calibrated timetables, which significantly reduce congestion and enhance overall safety. (SPA)
Crowd control for the pilgrimage includes carefully calibrated timetables, which significantly reduce congestion and enhance overall safety. (SPA)
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Updated 03 June 2025
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Smart Hajj: How authorities are preparing for crowd control

Smart Hajj: How authorities are preparing for crowd control
  • Safeguarding pilgrims and managing their movement takes careful planning

MAKKAH: Each year, the eyes of the world turn to Makkah, where millions of pilgrims from a range of nationalities, ethnicities and cultures gather in a remarkable spiritual gathering that symbolizes the unity of Islam.

In this vast diversity and sheer scale, the foremost challenge lies in managing the movement of crowds in a brief timeframe and a geographically constrained area encompassing the Grand Mosque and the Holy Sites.

Alhough Hajj is, at its core, an act of worship, safeguarding pilgrims and managing their movements requires meticulous planning, technical precision, and close coordination between security, health, service and technology organizations.




The movement of crowds in Makkah and the Holy Sites is managed by a centralized, data-driven strategy that relies on real-time inputs from surveillance cameras, aerial monitoring and location-tracking applications. (SPA)

Preparations for this year’s season underscored Saudi Arabia’s ability to integrate advanced technologies, institutional expertise, and forward-thinking initiatives to successfully orchestrate one of the most complex logistical operations in the world.

The movement of crowds in Makkah and the Holy Sites is managed by a centralized, data-driven strategy that relies on real-time inputs from surveillance cameras, aerial monitoring and location-tracking applications.

This integrated approach allows authorities to respond effectively to emergencies, proactively reroute pedestrian flow, anticipate congestion points and guide pilgrims with precision, ensuring the seamless and dignified continuation of rituals at every stage.

Coordinating the movement of over 2 million pilgrims in such a densely concentrated setting is a remarkable global accomplishment by any standard.

Akram Jan, Crowd management expert

Crowd management expert Akram Jan spoke to Arab News about the efforts that went into organizing the Hajj season.

“Coordinating the movement of over two million pilgrims in such a densely concentrated setting is a remarkable global accomplishment by any standard,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, he said, has become a global leader in crowd management, offering valuable insights for other countries.

Crowd control for the pilgrimage includes carefully calibrated timetables, which significantly reduce congestion and enhance overall safety.

He said that such crowd control is achievable only through high-level inter-agency coordination, intensive field team training, and the ability to respond swiftly to changing conditions on the ground.

Hotelier Mohammed Hakim spoke to Arab News about how the Kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah preparations have progressed over the years.

These changes have redefined the sector, shifting it from a seasonal service model to a comprehensive, year-round industry.

He said: “It is now evident that the experience of pilgrims extends far beyond the performance of rituals; it has evolved into a comprehensive, well-orchestrated journey that meets the highest standards of service and excellence.”

“We are now in the era of ‘Smart Hajj,’ where crowds are managed through applications, meals are distributed via digital platforms, and the quality of camps and accommodations is continuously monitored through real-time sensors and data analysis,” he added.

“Pilgrim satisfaction is measured from the moment they arrive in the Kingdom until their departure, all with an unprecedented level of digital transparency.

“We are entering a new era for Hajj and Umrah — one that transcends boundaries and is no longer confined to specific seasons. It is driven by a vision of continuous growth, institutional integration, and human empowerment, moving toward a values-driven economy rooted in a deep commitment to renewal and progress.”

 


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written messages from presidents of Vietnam, Angola

Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).
Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written messages from presidents of Vietnam, Angola

Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh (L).

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has received written messages from the presidents of Vietnam and Angola, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The message from President Luong Cuong related to Saudi-Vietnamese relations and ways to support and strengthen them in all fields.

The message was received by the Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Public Diplomacy Deputyship, Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, during a meeting with Vietnam’s ambassador to the Kingdom Hoang Huu Anh.

President of Angola Joao Lourenco also sent the king a letter regarding relations between their countries and ways to support and strengthen them in all fields.

That message was received by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Angola’s ambassador to the Kingdom Frederico Cardoso.


Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa

Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa
Updated 30 June 2025
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Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa

Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa
  • Harvest typically spans May 20 to July 20, marking an important period for both local agriculture and the national date market
  • Markets across Saudi Arabia are preparing to welcome over 20 varieties of premium dates cultivated in Al-Ahsa

JEDDAH: As temperatures rise, Al-Ahsa is witnessing the early signs of its annual date harvest, with farmers beginning to reap the season’s first rutab — dates in the soft, early-ripening stage of dates.

The harvest typically spans May 20 to July 20, marking an important period for both local agriculture and the national date market.

This year, markets across Saudi Arabia are preparing to welcome over 20 varieties of premium dates cultivated in Al-Ahsa, including the highly favored Khalas, Shishi, and Ghar varieties.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed the 2025 rutab season in Al-Ahsa signals a promising yield, with initial quantities already making their way across the Kingdom. 

Varieties such as Rutab Al-Tayyar, Majnaz, Ghar, Khneizi, Shishi and Khalas are expected to arrive at different stages throughout the harvest period, offering a steady flow of fresh produce. The harvest of the late-season rutab is set to begin in early July and will continue until mid-August, featuring prized varieties like Um Rahim, Zamli, Shahl, and Hilali.

Following the rutab season, Al-Ahsa will move into the full date (tamr) harvest from mid-August to early October, with popular varieties such as Shishi, Khalas and Raziz forming the core of this stage. 

In addition to fresh dates, Al-Ahsa is also known for producing some of the finest varieties for molasses (dibs), including varieties like Marzban, Hatemi and Shahl, highly valued for their rich flavor and syrupy texture.

Al-Ahsa, recognized as the largest palm oasis in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 2 million palm trees. Each year, the region produces over 120,000 tons of dates, making it a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural landscape.

With its unique blend of fertile land, deep-rooted heritage, and diverse produce, it continues to be a global center for date cultivation and a vital contributor to the Kingdom’s cultural and economic identity.


Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 1,493 mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,493 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 1,448 unexploded ordnances, 27 anti-tank mines, 14 anti-personnel mines and four improvised explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 502,736 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.

 


Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar

Saudi deputy minister receives ambassador of Myanmar
  • The ambassador came to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Ambassador of Myanmar to the Kingdom Tin Yu in Riyadh on Monday.

The ambassador came to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

Al-Sati praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries and wished him continued success in his duties.

 


Second round of GCC-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations to take place Monday

Second round of GCC-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations to take place Monday
Updated 30 June 2025
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Second round of GCC-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations to take place Monday

Second round of GCC-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations to take place Monday
  • Kingdom along with the GCC nations and Japan will address a wide range of topics
  • Negotiations were preceded by coordination meetings of the GCC technical negotiation teams on June 29

TOKYO: Saudi Arabia is set to participate in the second round of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Japan from June 30 to July 4.

Represented by the General Authority of Foreign Trade and led by Fareed Al-Asaly, the deputy governor for international organizations and agreements, the Kingdom along with the GCC nations and Japan will address a wide range of topics, including trade in goods and services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, financial services, telecommunications, the movement of natural persons, intellectual property, dispute settlement, general provisions of the agreement, rules of origin, and trade facilitation.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the negotiations were preceded by coordination meetings of the GCC technical negotiation teams on June 29.

The first round of negotiations took place in Riyadh on Dec. 12 last year.