Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah

The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque. (SPA)
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Updated 26 March 2025
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Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah

  • Abdullah Al-Ghamdi explores advanced technologies for Grand Mosque operations and highway security

RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center.

Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security.

The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons.

He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly.

Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features.

He observed the center’s operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.


Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force receives Military Order of Oman

Updated 24 December 2025
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Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force receives Military Order of Oman

  • Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman conferred the order upon Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz

LONDON: Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, received on Wednesday the Military Order of Oman (Second Class) in recognition of his efforts and contributions in strengthening military cooperation between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The order was presented by Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al-Said, the deputy prime minister for defense affairs, when he received the Saudi Air Force commander in his office at Al-Murtafa’a Camp in Muscat.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman conferred the order upon Lt. Gen. Abdulaziz, according to the Oman News Agency.

Several Omani officials, including Air Vice Marshal Khamis bin Hammad Al-Ghafri, the Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman, attended the ceremony. Also present were the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Oman Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, and the military attache from the Saudi Embassy in Muscat.

In a separate meeting on Wednesday, Lt. Gen. Abdulaziz and his Omani counterpart Al-Ghafri discussed training and drills between the two air forces, as well as aspects of military cooperation.