Masjid Al Haram to become one of the world’s smartest structures by 2030

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding digital transformation initiatives at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, aiming to make the holy site one of the world’s smartest religious destinations by 2030, as advanced technologies are increasingly integrated into transportation, charitable services, visitor management and field operations. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the digital transformation program is designed to improve operational efficiency and provide faster, more seamless services for millions of pilgrims and visitors throughout the year. Dr. Mohammed Al-Saqr, deputy CEO for Digital Transformation at the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, said the authority’s smart mobility platform has automated transportation services while integrating electronic booking and payment systems, helping reduce pilgrim waiting times from around two hours three years ago to approximately nine minutes during the latest Hajj season. Digitalization has also transformed the management of iftar meal distribution at the Grand Mosque, where more than 38 million meals are distributed and transactions approach SR500 million. Through automation, integration with the national Ehsan charitable platform and independent third-party oversight, administrative approval processes have been dramatically accelerated, with clearance times falling from around eight days to approximately eight minutes. Meanwhile, the Rafed digital platform connects 18 government entities to coordinate responses to field reports and operational requirements, while an interactive digital mapping system processes around 600,000 cases annually, serving nearly 10 percent of the Grand Mosque’s estimated six million annual visitors. Saudi authorities are continuing to expand smart technologies across both of Islam’s holiest mosques, with digital infrastructure increasingly being used to manage the movement of visitors, streamline services and enhance operational coordination. The transformation forms part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 agenda, positioning technology and integrated digital services at the center of efforts to improve the experience of pilgrims and visitors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.