How AI Manages Hajj and Umrah Crowds in 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to predict crowd congestion before it forms. Announced in September 2026, the system converts raw numbers into forecasts that guide planning, movement management and pilgrim flow, shifting operations from reactive responses to proactive control (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah).

What role does AI play in organizing Hajj crowds?

Crowd management today relies on advanced algorithms to analyze pilgrim movement and forecast peak times. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah applies these tools to detect patterns and study trends related to Hajj and Umrah, including pilgrim behavior, preferences, supply and demand. Predictive analytics also estimate arrival and departure dates and length-of-stay trends, supporting early planning and decision-making (National Media Authority).

The objective goes beyond counting people at a given site. Systems aim to predict crowd behavior and likely routes before density rises, helping distribute flows more safely, according to coverage of the twenty-sixth Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Research (Al-Weam newspaper).

How does the digital Mutawwif service work on the Nusuk app?

The digital Mutawwif is an intelligent companion delivered through the Nusuk app to assist pilgrims throughout their rituals. It uses spatial AI to understand a pilgrim’s location, movement and journey context in real time, directing them to the most suitable routes and floors. The service automatically counts Tawaf and Sa’i circuits and displays guidance and supplications appropriate to each stage (Employment Platform).

According to Ministry of Hajj and Umrah data published in September 2026, the service recorded more than two million uses within one month, and over 1.4 million users completed their Tawaf and Sa’i digitally.

What is the Nusuk AI service and how does it help pilgrims?

Nusuk AI is an artificial intelligence solution that provides information and guidance on Hajj, Umrah and visitation while answering questions. The service supports more than 180 languages and offers voice interaction. Since its launch, more than two million users have benefited from it, including three hundred ninety-three thousand in the past month alone, based on September 2026 data (Ajel newspaper).

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also received the AI Ethics Label issued by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) for this service, confirming its commitment to responsible and reliable use of smart technologies.

How is bus movement analyzed between the holy sites?

Beyond pedestrian management, the ministry uses advanced algorithms to analyze bus traffic and optimize transport routes between the holy sites. This analysis improves movement efficiency and supports operational decisions during the season, reducing waiting times and smoothing pilgrim flow between locations.

What role does scientific research play in crowd management?

Umm Al-Qura University, through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute of Hajj and Umrah Research, organized the twenty-sixth Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Research on September 2 and 3, 2026, in Makkah. The main scientific session discussed the shift from crisis management to proactive digital modeling. The Saudi Cabinet praised the forum’s success and its practical contributions to service development in areas including crowd management, digital transformation, data governance and artificial intelligence (Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper).

Abdullah Baqasi, dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute of Hajj and Umrah Research, noted that the institute’s academic record exceeds one thousand studies, with several ongoing field projects beginning as research before moving into operation.

How is crowd movement managed step by step?

The system follows a data-driven operational sequence outlined in official sources:

1. Data collection: monitoring pilgrim behavior, preferences, and supply and demand trends.
2. Predictive analysis: forecasting arrival and departure times and lengths of stay using advanced algorithms.
3. Flow management: analyzing crowd movement and predicting peak times to distribute flows.
4. Transport optimization: analyzing bus traffic and improving routes between the holy sites.
5. Real-time guidance: directing pilgrims via the digital Mutawwif to the most suitable paths based on their location.

What are the key figures announced for Hajj technology?

• Nusuk AI users since launch: more than two million (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
• Nusuk AI users in the last month: three hundred ninety-three thousand (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
• Languages supported by Nusuk AI: more than 180 (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
• Digital Mutawwif uses: more than two million in one month (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
• Users completing Tawaf and Sa’i digitally: more than 1.4 million (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
• Pilgrim satisfaction index: 91% for the 1447 AH season (Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper)
• Hajj Research Institute academic record: more than one thousand studies (Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper)
• Twenty-sixth Scientific Forum papers: fifty research papers and thirty innovative projects (Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper)

Efforts extend beyond direct operations. Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat called during the scientific forum for measuring tranquility and peace of mind alongside traditional satisfaction indicators.

What should pilgrims and tech observers watch next?

Those interested in technology or preparing for future pilgrimages should follow updates to services such as Nusuk AI and the digital Mutawwif on the Nusuk app, as these tools directly shape the journey. Outputs from the twenty-sixth Scientific Forum and Umm Al-Qura University research are expected to translate into new operational applications in coming seasons, aligning with the state’s push toward decisions built on governed data and proactive models rather than fixes applied after bottlenecks occur.