Saudi Arabia is introducing electronic identification bracelets for all Hajj pilgrims starting this year, Saudi media said recently, as part of a safety drive. Containing personal and medical information, the bracelets will help authorities provide care and identify people, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
Water-resistant and connected to GPS, the devices will also instruct worshipers on timings of prayers and a multi-lingual help desk to guide especially non-Arabic speaking pilgrims around the various rituals of Hajj. Nearly a thousand new surveillance cameras were installed recently at the Haram in Makkah and linked to control rooms staffed by special forces monitoring pilgrim movements during Ramadan and Hajj.
Dr. Bilal Philips