Mecca turns to tech to ensure pilgrims’ safety

For the first time in its history, the Grand Mosque in Mecca will be using drones to manage the crowd during Ramadan, according to local media reports

According to a report by the Al-Madinah local daily on Wednesday, Major General Mohammad Al-Ahmadi, deputy commander of the Umrah forces, said that the Umrah crowd management plan for this Ramadan involves security, as well as organisational and humanitarian aspects.

Adding further he said, that any pilgrims displaying signs of distress will not be permitted inside the premises of the Grand Mosque, taking into account the safety of them as well as of others present inside.

Pilgrims coming in with luggage will also be denied entrance at the Haram plazas.

In addition to the drones, the safety plan is also inclusive of a security aircraft and an approximate of 2,500 cameras that will incessantly observe the movement of the crowd.

Around 2,400 policemen along with 1,300 security patrols have been assigned to carry out the security plan of the Grand Mosque.

Furthermore, Director of Makkah Police Maj. Gen. Fahd Bin Mutlaq Al-Ossaimi said there will be six stations for shuttle trips to and from the Grand Mosque.

“The Makkah Police will group pilgrims and visitors at the Grand Mosque to facilitate their entry and exit,” he added.

Al-Ossaimi said the grouping operation will also include car parks near the central area and entry points to the Haram.

He said the six shuttle bus stations are Bab Ali, Ban Ajyad, Al-Ghaza, Shuab Amir, Jaroul and Reia Bakhsh.