Hajj Season: Technology and Translation Forge Unity amidst Diverse Pilgrims
Despite a mosaic of languages and cultures, over 1.5 million pilgrims are performing Hajj rituals in remarkable harmony, united by a common spiritual journey. Language barriers are dissolving, thanks to a blend of advanced technology and dedicated human effort.
Artificial intelligence is playing a key role, with instant translation applications on smart devices distributed in vital locations, enabling pilgrims to grasp instructions and directions in multiple languages within seconds.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has deployed specialized translation teams within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. These teams provide religious awareness in over 10 languages, including English, French, Thai, Serbian, Urdu, Dutch, Filipino, Amharic, Indonesian, German, and Turkish, catering to pilgrims from more than 100 countries. The ministry has also launched a free telephone inquiry service, aiming to handle half a million calls, and has broadcast over four million awareness messages via 340 electronic screens and 100 million SMS messages to pilgrims' phones, showcasing its effective use of technology to expand services.
Further bolstering communication, the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in collaboration with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, has translated the Arafah sermon into 35 languages. This initiative aims to enrich the religious experience for over five million beneficiaries and globally disseminate the message of moderation and balance.
This convergence of technology and humanity, translation and meticulous organization, presents an advanced model in global crowd management. It underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to its religious and humanitarian mission, ensuring the Hajj experience is accessible, safe, and inclusive for all.
As millions perform their rituals in unity, technology serves as a facilitator, translation as a bridge of understanding, and Hajj truly becomes a universal spiritual experience.
