Smart interactive map launched for the Grand and Prophet Mosques
Medina: A new smart interactive map system has been launched for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
Ghazi Al-Shahrani, CEO of the General Authority for the Management of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, stated that the smart interactive map has simplified the movement of visitors and worshippers, and significantly enhanced navigation within the two holy mosques. The system is designed to guide visitors to the most accurate routes, support real-time updates, ensure safe navigation, and improve the overall quality of the experience.
Al-Shahrani stated that the results are part of the authority’s efforts to advance its digital transformation and leverage smart technology to serve pilgrims. He added that the system is one of dozens of recently launched systems that have helped generate operational data, facilitating decision-making, understanding challenges, and paving the way for future digital systems.
The interactive maps are part of a smart digital system that provides real-time special guidance powered by live operational data linked to the control room. This allows visitors to be directed to the most appropriate routes during closures or congestion, and provides instant and accurate updates.
Mohammed Al-Saqer, Executive Vice President of Digital Transformation at the Authority, said that the pilot phase of the maps, which began during Ramadan, integrated color coding and metric addressing systems that divided the two holy mosques into clear geographic zones, supporting smart operations and activating special data as part of an integrated service and analytics ecosystem. He added that this launch is the first step in a project that will continue to evolve in the coming years, with plans to further develop it by 2026.
Al-Saqr said the system features over 950 points of interest across 13 service categories, supported by over 650 QR codes for easy access. It can also create over 100,000 dynamic routes, which are automatically optimized in real time based on operational conditions and crowd flow.
Wahib Al-Mutrafi, Director of Business Solutions at the authority, said the maps enabled accurate location-based reporting, and the smart platform, built on months of verified field data, helped speed up access to electric carts via ticket numbers, thereby increasing operational efficiency and improving the quality of services provided to worshippers.
