Overview

• Over 1.4 million pilgrims from more than 180 countries have arrived in Mecca to perform the annual rites.
• Drones equipped with thermal imaging, artificial intelligence and facial recognition track crowd flows and enforce permit compliance.
• The Nusuk system’s electronic ID card and smart wristband store biometric, health and travel data and control access to transport and services.
• After last year’s 1,301 heat-related deaths, officials enlarged shaded walkways by 50,000 sqm, installed over 400 cooling units and mobilised thousands of additional medics.
• Digital rights groups warn mandatory surveillance raises risks to pilgrims’ personal data and may diminish the pilgrimage’s spiritual focus.