Government

Saudia Arabia rolls out video call system for religious pilgrims

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May 21, 2026

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Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs has launched a kiosk-based video call guidance service at Al-Qiblatain Mosque and Sayyid Al-Shuhada Mosque in the city of Madinah to help pilgrims and worshippers receive religious guidance during the Hajj season, according to an Arab News report. The initiative is designed to improve outreach and support services for visitors at high-traffic religious sites.

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that every physically and financially able Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime.

The system uses smart devices to connect pilgrims through live audio and video calls with Islamic scholars and translators speaking more than 30 languages. Officials said the service allows visitors to receive answers to questions involving acts of worship, Hajj rituals and other religious matters in their native languages.

Madinah, also known as Medina, is one of Islam's holiest cities and the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. In 2026, Hajj is expected to occur approximately from May 24 to May 29, though the exact dates depend on lunar sightings in Saudi Arabia and can shift slightly. Saudi officials reported approximately 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the Hajj last year.