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.
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