Ministry of Interior Unveils AI-Driven Drone at Hajj Media Hub Exhibition
During its participation in the second annual Hajj Media Hub—hosted by the Ministry of Media from June 1 to 4, 2025—the Ministry of Interior, through its Development Program, showcased an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle at its pavilion at the Makkah Chamber Center for Exhibitions and Events.
This AI-powered drone is designed to enhance surveillance, monitoring, and crowd management efforts. Equipped with cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, it can perform real-time scene analysis, detect unusual activity, and instantly alert the command-and-control center. These capabilities support rapid response and proactive safety measures, contributing to the protection and well-being of pilgrims.
Related Topics:
Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations
Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts
Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor
New Chapter Unfolded: Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Intensive Care Unit
Short link :
Post Views: 8 Related Stories
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management
MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year's Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras. The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported. The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims' behavior. It 'uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.' The system also provides real-time updates. For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points. This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA. The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims move from Arafat to Muzdalifah
Saudi Gazette report ARAFAT— After sunset on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims began heading to Muzdalifah, amidst the services and health measures provided by the Saudi government to enable them to perform their rituals in peace and security after standing on Mount Arafat and completing the greatest pillar of Hajj. Upon arriving in Muzdalifah, pilgrims perform the Maghrib and Isha prayers together, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They spend the night in Muzdalifah, then head to Mina after the Fajr prayer the next day to throw stones at the Jamarat al-Aqaba and slaughter the sacrificial animals. The exodus from Arafat to Muzdalifah is the third stage of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Tough security ensures safe, smooth Hajj
ARAFAT: Saudi Arabia has intensified the enforcement of Hajj permit regulations this year, barring individuals without official permits from entering Makkah to ensure that authorized pilgrims can fully benefit from the Kingdom's services and facilities. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security forces had been deployed across all key access points to Makkah to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the city in the days leading up to Hajj. The intensified measures come in response to longstanding concerns over the strain placed on infrastructure and essential services by unauthorized pilgrims. The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh) The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. By ensuring that only authorized individuals enter Makkah during the Hajj season, the Kingdom aims to maintain public health, optimize crowd control and uphold the spiritual integrity of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub) In a recent press conference, held ahead of Hajj, the Kingdom detailed preparations aligned with the directives of Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud. The strategy covers public safety, crowd and traffic control, and emergency responses throughout the pilgrims' journey. Authorities reported the dismantling of 252 fake Hajj campaigns, the arrest of 1,239 illegal transporters, and the return of 269,678 non-residents of Makkah, 75,943 unauthorized pilgrims and 109,632 vehicles. An additional 11,610 individuals were found violating residency, labor and border laws. The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh) The move is part of a broader effort by authorities to safeguard the sanctity of the pilgrimage and ensure the safety and comfort of registered pilgrims. The MoI has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 (more than $5,300), with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. The Ministry of Interior outlined a comprehensive security and organizational plan to ensure a safe and smooth 2025 Hajj season. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub) The ministry warned that foreign nationals found in violation would, in addition to the financial penalty, be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for ten years. The ministry also confirmed that a financial penalty of up to SR100,000 would be imposed on anyone who transported holders of visit visas or attempted to transport them with the intent of bringing them to the city of Makkah or the holy sites during the same period. The ministry added it would request the competent court to confiscate any land transport vehicle proven to have been used for this purpose if owned by the transporter, an accomplice or any party found to be involved. In previous years, emergency rooms in Makkah hospitals were often overwhelmed with medical cases involving individuals who entered the city without valid Hajj permits. Many lacked access to official accommodation and transportation, resulting in overcrowding not only in emergency facilities but also in the Grand Mosque and the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat — areas whose capacity is topographically constrained. Pilgrims have voiced their support for the tightened rules. In previous seasons, illegal pilgrims strained logistical operations, including food distribution, transportation schedules and accommodation management. Indian couple Altaf Hussein and his wife Farhana told Arab News that they were pleased with the running of this year's Hajj. 'I am happy with their management,' Hussein said. Farhana added that it was her first time performing Hajj and that it was unlike what she had heard about. 'From day one in Makkah, I am so happy and thankful to Allah the Almighty, and may Allah keep the two holy mosques' management prosper,' she said. Marwa Al-Said, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that this year's Hajj felt 'especially exceptional' with unauthorized pilgrims barred from entering Makkah. 'I would like to thank you all. The arrangements you are applying this year are truly different,' she said. 'I feel comfortable — there is no hardship, no fear and none of the worries we usually hear about during Hajj. It is, seriously speaking, real security.' According to an official at Jabal Al-Rahma Hospital in Arafat, the one-day facility — which in previous years typically received hundreds of patients during the Hajj season — had recorded only two emergency cases as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.
