A pioneering step to enhance the faith experience
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to harnessing the latest technologies to serve pilgrims, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques intensified its awareness efforts during the holy month of Ramadan by launching a comprehensive system of interactive smart screens. This pioneering initiative aims to broadcast reliable religious and guidance content in 42 international languages, catering to the needs of millions of visitors and pilgrims from around the world and enriching their spiritual experience in the holiest of places.
These screens, strategically located in busy areas within the Two Holy Mosques, such as the Mataf expansion, the Saudi portico, the King Fahd expansion, and the Third Saudi expansion, provide quick and direct access to information, religious rulings, and guidance. The Presidency's Agency for Intellectual and Awareness Affairs oversees this initiative to ensure the delivery of sound and accessible scholarly content that respects the linguistic and cultural diversity of visitors.
Historical context and evolution of digital services
This step comes as part of a long-term, ongoing development of services provided at the Two Holy Mosques. Historically, religious guidance was offered through study circles, live lessons, and printed books. With the enormous increase in the number of pilgrims and Umrah performers over the decades, and the diversity of their cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the need arose for more effective and comprehensive methods. In response, the Kingdom has gradually adopted the use of technology, starting with radio and television broadcasts of prayers and sermons, and culminating in the launch of smart applications and specialized online platforms.
The interactive screen system is the culmination of these efforts, representing a qualitative shift from traditional one-way broadcasting to direct interaction, enabling visitors to obtain the information they need in their native language, contributing to raising religious awareness, correcting misconceptions, and enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals and worship with complete insight and peace of mind.
Importance and expected impact within the framework of Vision 2030
This initiative aligns directly with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to enrich and deepen their religious and cultural experience. The Deputy Minister for Intellectual and Awareness Affairs, Sheikh Ali bin Hamed Al-Nafi'i, explained that these screens represent a vital technological approach adopted by the Presidency, under the guidance of His Excellency the President of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, to leverage modern technologies in enhancing awareness services.
Internationally, this step reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader of the Islamic world and highlights its efforts in spreading Islam's tolerant message based on moderation and balance. By providing reliable religious content in dozens of languages, the Kingdom contributes to building bridges of cultural understanding, combating extremist ideologies, and presenting a global model for managing major religious sites and leveraging digital transformation to effectively and efficiently serve millions of people.
