In a landmark stride towards the digital transformation of Islam’s holiest site, the Grand Mosque’s new Smart Engineering Command & Control Centre has officially commenced operations. Developed through a collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Royal Commission for Makkah City, and several tech partners, the launch marks a major upgrade in worshipper management, crowd safety, and infrastructure oversight .
The newly unveiled centre employs a robust 5G‑enabled neutral‑host network, powering an interconnected system of high-resolution surveillance, AI‑guided crowd analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. These enhancements include real‑time monitoring of crowd movements, vehicle flow, waste disposal systems, and even the sacred Zamzam well’s water volume and distribution, all orchestrated from the central command room .
Officials report that download speeds inside the Grand Mosque have surged to over 1 Gbps, tripling previous capacities for pilgrims and staff. The centre also enables virtual medical services, smart waste collection, and swift traffic control, all powered by AI analytics and managed round-the-clock via dedicated national teams .
Complementing these improvements, the Security Operations Centre integration adds high-definition camera feeds and predictive intelligence models that anticipate crowd build-up and regulate flow proactively, a vital addition during peak rituals like Ramadan and Hajj . Robotic services have also been introduced, offering assistance, sterilisation, and remote fatwa support to worshippers within the complex .
Deputy Minister Bassam Al‑Bassam of MCIT remarked: “There is nothing more honourable than serving visitors of the Grand Mosque. We continuously integrate cutting‑edge technologies to enhance the experience.” Meanwhile, RCMC CEO Saleh Al‑Rasheed said the project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, affirming the Kingdom’s dedication to deploying state-of-the-art solutions at its most revered sites.
