Saudi Arabia: Makkah’s Grand Mosque launches recitation, sermon robots

Helping Muslim pilgrims during their visit to Makkah, the Grand Mosque has officially launched new robots that will recite the holy Qur’an, provide sermons and adhan to visitors of Islam’s holiest site.


The smart robots will display barcodes enabling users to download services on smartphones. Visitors can also press commands on the robots to access information on prayers, imams, muezzins and weekly schedules of scholars delivering Friday sermons, Arab News reported.


The new robots will feature at the Grand Mosque in Makkah through the work of the imam and muezzin affairs authority.


Chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said that the launch is part of a “big strategic plan” to implement the smart Haramain project.


He added that the plan aims to ensure the facilitation of daily services for visitors by reducing physical efforts and enhancing smart technology.


This modern tech system isn’t the first to be installed in the Grand Mosque in Makkah.


Earlier this year, the Grand Mosque officially introduced a guiding robot to help Muslim pilgrims and answer their questions in 11 languages.


Last year, mosque officials introduced robots to distribute Zamzam water. Other robots were also on ground to provide sterilization and epidemic control.


Makkah’s Grand Mosque also introduced an electronic Qur’an to help blind and visually-impaired Muslims worshippers in December 2021.


These steps come as part of the Kingdom’s comprehensive development plan 2024 to use modern technologies in the service of the Two Holy Mosques.
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