Saudi Arabia deploys drones, AI Tech to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrim entry

In a bid to tighten security and ensure the sanctity of the Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi authorities have launched drone surveillance operations over Makkah to detect and deter unauthorized individuals attempting to perform Hajj without valid permits.

According to Saudi state media, the initiative has already resulted in the arrest of hundreds of violators on a daily basis.

Among those apprehended were several Indonesian nationals allegedly involved in promoting a fraudulent Hajj permit scheme.

Follow-up investigations led to the detention of 14 additional individuals from their residences—none of whom possessed the necessary documentation for Hajj.

In parallel efforts to enhance the experience for authorized pilgrims, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has introduced significant upgrades at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Read more: Only 25,698 private pilgrims to perform Hajj this year

A total of 20 e-gates have been installed to expedite immigration procedures and reduce wait times.

The SDAIA is collaborating closely with airport and immigration officials to implement artificial intelligence-based solutions aimed at simplifying entry protocols for incoming pilgrims.

Over 30 advanced passport scanners have been added to facilitate swift processing, while the arrival terminal now includes four state-of-the-art fingerprint scanning units to bolster security.