Smart systems streamline crowds at Grand Mosque

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the systems are a key technological pillar supporting crowd management. (SPA/File Photo)
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Updated 14 January 2026
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Smart systems streamline crowds at Grand Mosque

MAKKAH: Modern technologies have improved crowd management efficiency inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah through smart counting systems that use sensors and real-time monitoring of visitor movement at gates and corridors.

These systems accurately track entrants and exits, enhancing pilgrims’ safety and improving their worship experience, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the systems are a key technological pillar supporting crowd management.

It added that real-time data enables field teams to make faster, more accurate decisions to regulate movement and respond to changes in crowd density.

The authority noted that smart technologies help guide visitor movement smoothly, ensuring balanced distribution across levels, courtyards, and corridors.

They also help reduce congestion and enhance safety and comfort standards, it said.

The authority added that smart counting systems allow early detection of high-density areas, enabling proactive intervention and management of potential bottlenecks through an integrated operational system.

It stressed that adopting these technologies is part of ongoing efforts to improve services and enhance pilgrims’ experience in line with development objectives.


Saudi Ambassador meets FM and praises close ties with Japan

Updated 12 March 2026
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Saudi Ambassador meets FM and praises close ties with Japan

  • He said the relations between the two countries have been characterized by sincerity, honesty, and commitment

TOKYO: After meeting Japanese Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu on the sidelines of the 19th Annual Japan International Manga Awards, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr says the Kingdom’s 70-year relationship with Japan is testament “to what trust between civilizations and countries can build.”

“In an increasingly turbulent world, relationships built on trust, respect and long-term vision remain part of a deeper path toward human stability,” he stated.

He said the relations between the two countries have been characterized by sincerity, honesty, and commitment, and reinforced through decades of communication between the leaders of the two countries. 

He recalled the visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in 2017, which, he said, ushered in a new era of cooperation through Vision Saudi-Japan 2030.

Ambassador Binzagr described Saudi Arabia’s ties with Japan as “one of the more important relationships in international relations, backed by honesty, trust, and unwavering commitment. I hope that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow deeper on this foundation of trust.”