Pilgrims arriving at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah are now being greeted by an unusual assistant. According to Saudi state media and Gulf News, the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Two Holy Mosques has deployed an artificial-intelligence robot that answers religious questions, gives directions, and translates on the spot in 15 languages. The move reflects a wider push to fold smart technology into the pilgrim experience.
What the robot does
The robot offers instant access to fatwa services in 15 languages, providing real-time religious guidance through both speech and text. A pilgrim can ask a question aloud or type it, and receive an answer drawn from approved religious sources. This matters for the millions of visitors who do not speak Arabic and who previously had to search for a scholar or a help desk to resolve a ritual question.
Beyond fatwas, the machine works as a mobile information point. It shares details on locations and services inside the two mosques, from the nearest gate to prayer areas and facilities. Its instant translation function is designed to help visitors from different nationalities communicate more easily, easing a language barrier that has long complicated crowd guidance during peak seasons.
Part of a broader technology drive
The robot is one strand of a larger effort to modernise services at the Haramain. Saudi authorities have introduced smart sensors, digital permits through the Nusuk platform, and real-time crowd monitoring in recent seasons. The Presidency of Religious Affairs, which oversees guidance and education inside the mosques, has framed the robot as a way to enrich the spiritual and educational experience rather than replace human scholars.
Interactive religious and educational content is delivered through a simple interface, and the device can point visitors toward lectures, classes, and other learning resources available inside the mosques. The Presidency continues to station human guides and volunteers alongside the technology, so pilgrims who prefer to speak with a person are not left without help.
Why it helps pilgrims
For first-time visitors, the value is practical. Questions about the correct way to perform Tawaf, what to do after missing a step, or where to find Zamzam water are common, and answers are not always easy to obtain in a crowd of hundreds of thousands. A multilingual assistant that never tires can reduce anxiety and keep people moving safely.
The service also supports the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goal of raising the quality of the pilgrim experience while handling ever larger numbers of worshippers. As Umrah traffic grows, tools that answer routine questions quickly free human staff to focus on those who need closer help, including the elderly and the unwell.
Officials have stressed that the technology is meant to complement, not replace, the scholars and guides who serve at the mosques. The robot handles the high volume of routine questions, allowing human experts to devote more attention to complicated cases and to pilgrims in genuine difficulty. As deployment widens across both mosques, authorities say further languages and functions may be added in response to pilgrim feedback.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims who want to make use of the new service should keep a few points in mind. First, know your own language setting: the robot supports 15 languages, so select the one you are most comfortable with for the clearest answer. Second, treat the robot as a first stop for simple questions on directions, services, and common rulings, but seek a qualified scholar for complex or personal matters of fiqh. Third, do not rely on any single device during the busiest hours; the Nusuk app, posted signage, and on-site volunteers remain useful backups. Finally, remember that religious guidance offered inside the Two Holy Mosques follows the rulings recognised by the Presidency of Religious Affairs, so pilgrims can act on it with confidence while still consulting their own trusted scholars where needed.