Saudi Arabia has opened a new innovation competition seeking artificial intelligence and technology ideas to improve services at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. The programme invites young innovators to submit ideas by September 16, 2026.

The initiative is the sixth edition of the "Diwan Al-Ibtikar" programme, run under the name "Think for the Two Holy Mosques."

A partnership focused on the holy sites

The programme is organised by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in partnership with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, known as MiSK. Its stated goal is to turn creative ideas into tested prototypes that can improve services for worshippers and visitors.

Programme director Anas Al Shaher said the innovator's journey does not end with submitting an idea. It moves through several stages: idea submission, a virtual camp, an in-person camp, and building a minimum viable product that is tested and refined. The programme ends with a ceremony that crowns the top three solutions.

Three fields and six tracks

This edition has expanded its scope. It now covers three main fields: culture and values, technology, and community responsibility. These branch into six tracks.

The tracks are: visiting the Rawdah in the Prophet's Mosque, the guest experience, the environment of the two mosques, multilingual guidance and interaction, artificial intelligence for the two mosques, and enriching the visitor experience. Each track includes core questions and case studies to help innovators shape workable solutions.

AI for emergencies and guidance

Al Shaher said technology and artificial intelligence are central to improving services at the two mosques, which is why the programme dedicates tracks to AI and multilingual guidance.

He said the programme pushes participants to design AI-based solutions for faster response to emergency and humanitarian cases, and to customise services based on visitor type, timing, location and crowd levels. It also targets smart guidance systems to help visitors reach their destinations quickly, and stronger digital interaction with people from different cultures and languages.

Rewards and deadline

The top three winning solutions will receive financial rewards to help them move into more advanced stages of application. Al Shaher called on young people, innovators and idea holders to join the programme and build their skills while contributing solutions for the two mosques and their visitors.

The deadline for submitting ideas is September 16, 2026.

Why this matters for pilgrims

  • Solutions developed through the programme could make crowd movement, guidance and emergency response at the holy sites smoother for future pilgrims.
  • The focus on multilingual guidance points to better support for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic.
  • Young innovators with relevant ideas can apply before the September 16, 2026 deadline.
  • Pilgrims should still rely on official signage, staff and the Nusuk app for guidance during their visit.