* Saudi govt says drones, AI fully deployed for safer pilgrimage
For the first time in recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded a great success during the Hajj 1446 (2025), with no major health, security, or service-related incidents reported among the over 1.67 millions of pilgrims, marking one of the safest and most efficiently managed pilgrimages in history.
The announcement was made by Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region and vice chairman of the Permanent Hajj and Umrah Committee, after the pilgrimage on Sunday, June 8, with the symbolic stone pelting at Jamrat, declaring it free of any security, health, or service-related incidents.
Speaking from the governorate’s headquarters in Mina, Prince Saud extended congratulations to the Kingdom’s leadership, particularly the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for the distinguished execution of the operational plans, which enabled pilgrims to perform their rites safely and peacefully.
The Deputy Emir of the Makkah Region also expressed gratitude to members of the security, health, and service sectors, as well as to the many volunteers who contributed to the success of the season, emphasizing their sincerity and commitment to serving the guests of God by the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership.
He also praised the pilgrims themselves, noting their cooperation and compliance with the regulations and instructions, which played a key role in the success of the season.
Also speaking on the accident-free Hajj, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif emphasized that this year’s Hajj season did not witness anything that would disrupt the Hajj or affect the safety and security of pilgrims.
According to him, “No epidemic or quarantine cases have also been recorded. Preventive efforts and health services provided to pilgrims have resulted in bringing down the rates of illness, heat exhaustion, and deaths.”
Hajj without health or security incidents
Unlike the previous year—when over 1,300 people, mostly unregistered pilgrims, died from heatstroke— this year’s Hajj ended without health or security incidents, while heat exhaustion cases dropped by 90 per cent.
Muslim News gathered that though there were reported fatalities in some countries including Nigeria, they aren’t directly related to the heatstroke occasioned by the rising temperatures in the Kingdom, which exceeded 40 degrees Celsius during the Hajj season.
For instance, seven pilgrims lost their lives in Nigeria (as of June 9) based on official reports but most deaths of Nigerians recorded were of the aged following different health complications. In Iran, 13 pilgrims died during Hajj as reported by the Iranian state media on Saturday (June 7).
“As of Friday, June 6, the total number of Iranian pilgrims who have passed away during Hajj 2025 has reached 13,” the Iranian Red Crescent Society was quoted as stating, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
However, it said the reason for these deaths was not specified.
The role of AI in the Hajj success story
The Kingdom attributed this year’s remarkable achievement to the deployment of cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone surveillance, and strict health protocols.
Saudi AI-Powered Smart Platform Launched to Enhance Pilgrim Safety and Crowd Management.#SPA_Hajj46 | #SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/93QJWJzwWJ
— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) June 7, 2025
Officials said the seamless coordination of advanced systems and human oversight helped transform what is often a challenging logistical operation into one of the safest and most organized Hajj seasons to date.
The initiative, part of the government’s broader Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program, resulted in a 90 per cent drop in heat exhaustion cases compared to 2024 when over 1,300 pilgrims—mostly unregistered—died from heatstroke.
Saudi Arabian authorities say the combination of AI surveillance, strict health directives, and real-time monitoring helped create one of the safest Hajj seasons in recent years.
Eyes in the sky: AI-powered drones watch over holy sites
Drones equipped with thermal cameras, live broadcast devices, and autonomous flight technology hovered over Mount Arafat, Mina, and surrounding routes—scanning for irregular behaviour and suspicious movement.
According to Engineer Hussein Al-Andas, a drone expert, “These AI-equipped drones can recognize individuals who are not walking with authorized groups or who are following unusual paths. Such activity is immediately flagged as suspicious.”
Every year, millions gather in Makkah for Hajj, one of the largest annual human gatherings on earth.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to organizing this sacred event goes beyond logistics; it’s a world-class model in crowd management, safety, and operational excellence.
From smart… pic.twitter.com/s4Kh28ZHIq
— JOND SECURITY (@jondsecurity) June 10, 2025
He added that some drones were fitted with loudspeakers to issue immediate warnings, while others transmitted GPS coordinates of intruders to a command centre staffed with trained analysts and security officers.
“This video shows how technology helps protect the Hajj,” a spokesperson from the Ministry of Interior said, referencing footage of drones patrolling remote desert entry points. “Unauthorized pilgrims pose safety and logistical challenges. We are determined to prevent such violations.”
Massive crackdown on unauthorized pilgrims
Saudi authorities reported that 269,678 unauthorised individuals were turned away from the holy sites, and over 23,000 Saudi residents were penalized for violating Hajj regulations.
“Pilgrims are in front of us, and anyone who does not comply is in our hands,” stated Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Omari during a press briefing. He warned that attempting Hajj without a valid permit now carries penalties including fines of up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals, deportation for non-citizens, and legal action against facilitators.
The moment Saudi Road Security arrested an illegal vehicle heading to the Makkah through a wilderness area.#nohajjwithoutpermit #Hajj1445 #Hajj2024 pic.twitter.com/7IDsXqZTiy
— Saudi-Expatriates.com (@saudiexpat) June 10, 2024
Over 400 Hajj companies had their licences revoked, and operations behind illegal pilgrimages—drivers, unauthorized tour operators, and organizers—were dismantled. “We are not just stopping individuals; we are dismantling the networks that support them,” a senior official emphasized.
Heat management and health advisory
To minimize heat-related illnesses, Saudi’s Ministry of Health urged pilgrims to stay in their tents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., warning against climbing mountains or prolonged sun exposure. Symptoms of heat stress—such as dizziness, nausea, and excessive thirst—were widely publicized, and pilgrims were provided with guidelines to stay hydrated and rest under shade.
— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 4, 2025
The health ministry’s proactive campaigns, field teams, and mobile clinics worked in sync with the security operations to ensure a healthy pilgrimage.
Muslim News Nigeria on incident-free Hajj 2025
The 2025 Hajj marks a turning point in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of millions of pilgrims. Through the strategic deployment of Artificial Intelligence, drone surveillance, and strict enforcement of health and security protocols, Saudi authorities have demonstrated how innovation and foresight can transform one of the world’s largest religious gatherings into a model of safety and efficiency. Unlike in 2024, when the tragedy of over 1,300 deaths made global headlines, this year’s incident-free pilgrimage as declared by the Kingdom has been met with a curious silence from many of the same international media outlets that were quick to criticize the Kingdom in the past.
This shift underscores a vital lesson: while technology played a central role, it was the political will, discipline in execution, and comprehensive planning under Saudi’s Vision 2030 that made the difference, with the help of Almighty Allah. The absence of incident as announced by the Kingdom speaks volumes, and though quietly received, it is an achievement worthy of global recognition. Saudi Arabia’s integration of AI in public safety during Hajj not only prevented human loss but also set a new global standard for managing mass religious events—proving that when technology meets accountability, lives are saved and futures protected.
– Rasheed Abubakar, Publisher, Muslim News Nigeria
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