Introduction: When Faith Meets Technology

The Hajj is one of the most extraordinary human experiences. Every year, more than two million Muslims from over 180 countries gather in Makkah to perform the sacred pilgrimage. It is a spiritual journey that transcends race, nationality, and language, but it also represents one of the world’s most complex communication challenges.

Imagine two pilgrims walking side by side in the Grand Mosque: one from Nigeria, speaking Hausa, and another from China, speaking Mandarin. Both are engaged in the same act of worship, yet they cannot easily communicate with each other or with service staff. Multiply this by millions, and you can begin to understand the magnitude of the challenge.

For centuries, this linguistic diversity has been a natural part of Hajj, sometimes enriching the experience, and sometimes creating barriers. But today, Saudi Arabia is pioneering a new approach: using artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time translation to ensure that every pilgrim, regardless of language, feels understood, guided, and spiritually connected.

AI in Saudi Arabia is transforming Hajj through real-time translation tools like Smart Haj, Manara AI, and the Nusuk App, making the pilgrimage safer and more inclusive. The Kingdom is not only breaking down language barriers but also setting a global case study for how technology can harmonize with tradition to elevate human experiences.

The Historic Challenge of Communication at Haj

The Hajj is often described as the largest annual gathering in the world. But what makes it unique is not just its scale it is the incredible linguistic and cultural diversity of the pilgrims.

A Multilingual Gathering Like No Other

Pilgrims come from every continent:

• From Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, speaking Bahasa.
• From Pakistan and India, speaking Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Bangla.
• From Africa, bringing languages like Swahili, Hausa, and Amharic.
• From Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia, speaking Turkish, Farsi, and Uzbek.
• From Europe and the Americas, speaking English, French, and Spanish.

In total, hundreds of languages and dialects converge in one sacred space.

The Risks of Miscommunication

Communication breakdowns in such settings can have serious consequences:

• A pilgrim does not understand safety instructions during crowd movement.
• A medical emergency where the patient cannot describe symptoms in Arabic.
• Pilgrims are struggling to navigate rituals correctly due to language barriers.

Saudi Arabia has long worked to address these issues through multilingual staff, printed guides, and official translators. But with the advancement of AI, a new era of instant, real-time, scalable communication has arrived.

AI at the Heart of Haj: Smart Haj Initiatives

Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has embraced digital transformation in every sector — including religious services. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, along with the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, has launched Smart Haj, a suite of initiatives that integrate AI-driven translation and digital guidance.

These innovations ensure that pilgrims are supported before, during, and after Hajj, creating a journey that is safer, smoother, and more spiritually enriching.

1. The Arafat Sermon in 35 Languages

One of the most powerful demonstrations of this technology came during the Arafat sermon, a central moment of Hajj where millions of pilgrims gather to listen to a message of unity, faith, and compassion.

For the first time, the sermon was broadcast live in 35 languages using AI-powered real-time translation. Pilgrims on the ground and millions of Muslims around the world could hear the sermon in their own native tongue.

This achievement is more than technical. It represents a spiritual democratization of Hajj, ensuring that every Muslim, regardless of background, can fully grasp the message of Islam’s most sacred gathering.

2. The Nusuk App: A Pilgrim’s AI Companion

The Nusuk App has become the digital lifeline for pilgrims. Designed as a personal AI assistant, it offers:

• Multilingual navigation through crowded Hajj sites.
• Step-by-step guidance for rituals like Tawaf, Sa’i, and stoning at Jamarat.
• Real-time voice translation between pilgrims and staff.
• Emergency support with instant connection to authorities.

For example, a pilgrim from Bangladesh can ask, “Where is the nearest Zamzam water station?” in Bangla, and the app instantly provides an answer in his language, while also alerting staff in Arabic if necessary.

This seamless experience allows pilgrims to focus on their worship instead of worrying about logistics.

3. Manara AI Robot: The Voice of Guidance

The Manara AI robot is another remarkable innovation. A voice-activated assistant available on the ground, Manara can answer religious and logistical questions in 11 languages.

Its responses are not only technically accurate but also culturally sensitive, ensuring respect for the sacred nature of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims can ask:

• “How many circuits do I perform in Tawaf?”
• “What is the ruling if I miss a ritual step?”
• “Where can I find first aid?”

By providing clear, consistent, and multilingual guidance, Manara ensures no pilgrim is left uncertain about their duties.

4. AI Devices for Field Teams

While apps and robots serve pilgrims directly, field staff are equipped with AI-powered translation devices. These can interpret speech, handwriting, and even images to provide instant communication with pilgrims.

For example:

• A pilgrim shows a photo of their hotel. The device translates and helps staff guide them back.
• A patient describes chest pain in Urdu. The device translates instantly for Arabic-speaking doctors.
• A crowd safety instruction is broadcast in multiple languages simultaneously.

Such tools are proving life-saving in emergencies and invaluable in everyday guidance.

Making the Quran Accessible in Every Language

Beyond logistical communication, Saudi Arabia has prioritized spiritual inclusivity by distributing translated copies of the Holy Quran in multiple languages across the Grand Mosque.

This allows pilgrims to not only perform rituals but also connect deeply with the Quranic message in their native tongue. For many, it is the first time they can reflect on verses while standing in the holiest place in Islam — a profoundly personal and spiritual experience.

AI as a Life-Saving Tool in Hajj

Hajj is one of the densest gatherings on Earth, and safety is always a top priority. Miscommunication in such an environment can be catastrophic. AI translation plays a critical role in:

• Crowd Management: Instructions delivered instantly in dozens of languages help prevent dangerous congestion.
• Medical Emergencies: Doctors and paramedics can understand patients quickly, saving valuable minutes.
• Lost Pilgrims: AI-powered translation helps reunite pilgrims with their groups.

The Saudi Health Ministry has enhanced this with a 937 Health Call Centre, offering 24/7 multilingual medical support — including Urdu for Pakistani pilgrims.

Bridging Tradition and Technology

What makes Saudi Arabia’s initiatives unique is the balance between modern technology and sacred tradition. AI is not being used to replace the spiritual experience but to enhance it.

The Ministry described translation as a “spiritual bridge”, highlighting that language inclusivity is not just technical but deeply human. By enabling pilgrims to understand rituals, sermons, and scripture in their native tongue, AI has made Hajj more personal and universally accessible.

Global Lessons: AI for Humanity

The success of AI in Hajj carries lessons for the wider world. If real-time translation can guide two million people across hundreds of languages during the world’s most crowded religious gathering, it can also serve other global events:

• International sports tournaments like the Olympics.
• Humanitarian operations during refugee crises.
• Global conferences and summits where inclusivity is vital.

Saudi Arabia is showing that AI, when used responsibly, can become a tool for unity and human connection, not division.

Conclusion: Haj More Connected Than Ever

Hajj has always been about unity — millions of people standing together in worship, equal before God, regardless of race, wealth, or nationality. Today, through AI-powered translation, this unity is expressed not just spiritually but linguistically.

By embracing Smart Haj, the Nusuk App, Manara AI, and multilingual Quran distribution, Saudi Arabia has transformed Hajj into a truly inclusive global event, where no pilgrim feels isolated by language.

In a divided world, Hajj 2025 demonstrates a powerful truth: technology, when aligned with human values, can unite hearts and strengthen faith.

FAQs: AI and Real-Time Translation in Haj

Q1: What is Smart Haj?
Smart Haj is a Saudi initiative using AI-powered tools, apps, and translation systems to make Haj safer, smoother, and more inclusive for millions of pilgrims.

Q2: What is the Nusuk App?
The Nusuk App is an AI-powered mobile application offering navigation, ritual guidance, and real-time translation in multiple languages for pilgrims.

Q3: What is Manara AI?
Manara is a voice-activated AI robot that provides religious and logistical guidance in 11 languages, helping pilgrims with common questions.

Q4: How was the Arafat sermon translated?
The Arafat sermon was translated live into 35 languages using advanced AI systems, allowing millions worldwide to access the message in real time.

Q5: How does AI improve safety at Haj?
AI translation ensures accurate communication during emergencies, supports doctors in diagnosing patients, and helps in crowd control by delivering multilingual instructions.

Q6: Can pilgrims access the Quran in their language?
Yes, translated copies of the Holy Quran are distributed at the Grand Mosque, making worship more personal and inclusive.