RIYADH: A team of students at King Abdulaziz University has developed a mobile app designed to help Hajj pilgrims navigate their journey with ease, eliminating a common challenge faced during the intense pilgrimage: getting lost.

Led by student Hassan Al-Sulami, the team created the Musaed app, an interactive tool that can help pilgrims locate their camps and navigate crowded areas.

“The innovative idea aims to ease the pilgrims’ journey by presenting it at the upcoming Hajj and Umrah Conference, seeking a sponsor to adopt it,” Al-Sulami said. “We are working to integrate it into the Nusuk Haq Hajj app.”

The app was born out of firsthand observation during the 2022 Hajj, when Al-Sulami and his team noticed many pilgrims struggling to find their tents, leading to missed rituals and logistical and transport delays.

Using technologies like the Internet of Things, Musaed enables pilgrims to identify their camp locations on an offline map after an initial download.

A standout feature is its use of the phone’s camera to identify the direction of the camp, similar to how one uses augmented-reality compass function to find the Qibla direction. The app’s concept also includes audio and visual directions that serve as a personal guide to help pilgrims navigate their surroundings.

The app will also provide suggested routes and available facilities, as well as a real-time alert feature that notifies users of congestion. A built-in contact feature allows direct communication with supervisors or relevant authorities, adding a layer of safety and assurance.

Although the app is still in its prototype phase and pending official approvals, the Musaed project reflects the creativity and technical potential of Saudi youth.

With more than 1 million pilgrims arriving each year, initiatives like Musaed offer scalable, tech-forward solutions that support Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving pilgrims with efficiency and care.