Fleet of electric vehicles and wheelchairs laid on for elderly and infirm pilgrims

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The electric vehicles will help elderly and disabled to perform Hajj. (SPA)
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The electric vehicles will help elderly and disabled to perform Hajj. (SPA)
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Wheelchairs have also been laid on to assist the elederly and disabled. (SPA)
Updated 19 August 2018
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Fleet of electric vehicles and wheelchairs laid on for elderly and infirm pilgrims

  • Thousands of electric vehicles will be on hand for people unable to walk far
  • A team of maintenance staff has also been employed to ensure the vehicles remain in working order

DUBAI: A fleet of 700 electric vehicles and hundreds of wheelchairs have been provided by the Saudi Department of Mobility Services at the Grand Mosque to help elderly and disabled pilgrims perform Hajj, state news agency SPA reported.

The electric vehicles are being maintained by a special team of staff, including supervisors, technicians and administrators.

Meanwhile the General Presidency of the two holy mosques has launched the “umbrella for every pilgrim” program.

The umbrellas are being distributed to protect people from the Saudi sun.


Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

Updated 28 December 2025
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Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation

  • Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Board of Grievances has opened registration for the Judicial Intelligence Hackathon, the institution’s first competition seeking sustainable solutions that harness cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency of judicial procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026, as part of efforts to cultivate talent and promote innovation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the judicial sector.

The board is calling on industry experts, experienced professionals, and university students to form teams of three to five members. Each team must be led by a Saudi citizen or academic staff member at least 18 years old.

Participants register via a dedicated portal on the board’s digital platform and must submit a preliminary proposal demonstrating practical and legal viability, incorporating advanced technology with appropriate quality standards, and showing innovation relevant to the board's operations with transformative impact and long-term sustainability.

Competition unfolds in two distinct tracks. The first addresses AI applications and creative solutions for administrative justice, tackling challenges such as minimizing procedural errors and offenses during virtual court proceedings and streamlining lawsuit filing classifications.

The second track emphasizes digital innovation enhancing user journeys, focusing on simplifying document submission processes when initiating lawsuits and developing accessibility solutions enabling seniors and people with disabilities to navigate board services more effectively.

Finalists are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 23, 2026, followed by virtual project discussion and presentation sessions on Jan. 28. 

According to the SPA, this methodology for sourcing innovative concepts underscores the dedication of the board’s leadership to advance performance across judicial chambers and administrative divisions while pursuing strategic goals of refining administrative court litigation processes, expediting case resolutions, and establishing competitive leadership in the judicial arena.