ع
The Saudi Press Agency reported on May 6, 2026 that the Madinah branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance planned the initiative under official patronage to detail the kingdom’s work serving pilgrims. A select group of scholars will participate in discussions focused on facilitation measures that have evolved in recent years. The program includes a documentary presentation outlining initiatives in digital transformation, advanced technologies and infrastructure improvements at holy sites. Officials from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Commission for Hajj and Umrah are slated to join the event in Madinah.
Saudi authorities have expanded digital platforms to manage the annual pilgrimage, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stated in prior updates. General Authority for Statistics data from the Hajj 2026 season placed total participation at approximately 1.7 million, including 1.54 million international visitors from more than 150 countries. This scale required coordinated use of artificial intelligence for crowd monitoring, satellite imagery analysis and smart transportation systems to prevent congestion and ensure safety. The Madinah program aims to illustrate how these tools integrate with on-the-ground services.
A review by the Digital Government Authority highlighted Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation during Hajj seasons, noting smoother processes through applications that handle permits and real-time guidance. The kingdom deployed more than 5,000 communication towers and 31,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables to achieve full coverage at holy sites, according to official infrastructure assessments. Such upgrades supported medical services, logistics and emergency responses that handled the large gatherings without major reported incidents in 2026. The upcoming Madinah event will feature presentations on these interconnected systems.
The IMARC Group projected Saudi Arabia’s overall digital transformation market to expand from USD 13.4 billion in 2025 to USD 85.8 billion by 2034 at a compound annual growth rate of 22.18 percent, with public services including pilgrimage management as a key driver. This growth aligns with Vision 2030 objectives that have guided investments in AI and data analytics for event organization. Participants in the Madinah program will address how these developments have enhanced the pilgrim experience across health checks, accommodation and ritual guidance. The collaborative format brings together multiple government entities to present a unified overview.
Previous similar initiatives by the Islamic Affairs Ministry have assigned preachers to answer ritual questions and support women’s religious education during the season, the Saudi Press Agency noted in related coverage. The 2026 program builds on that foundation by focusing specifically on facilitation technologies and their measurable outcomes. Attendance at the Thursday evening launch, scheduled for 7:30 PM, is expected to include local scholars and ministry representatives. Organizers have positioned the session as an educational platform for understanding the full scope of national preparations.
