Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia launches smart guide for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has launched an electronic guide in six languages to assist pilgrims preparing for this year’s Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, set to take place in early June.

The "Smart Book of Hajj Rituals" is available in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, and Turkish. The guide can be accessed via electronic libraries in mosques and on board flights operated by Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia. The initiative aims to educate pilgrims about the rules and rituals of Hajj.

The project was unveiled by Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Al Sheikh, who also chairs the ministry’s Supreme Committee for Hajj, Umrah and Visit Affairs. The launch took place during a meeting with officials serving in Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest mosque.

The meeting also reviewed broader preparations for the pilgrimage, including the readiness of mosques along pilgrims’ travel routes, the rollout of guidance programmes, the deployment of translators in multiple languages at land, sea, and air entry points, and the distribution of educational materials.

Hajj is one of Islam’s five mandatory pillars. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable is required to perform the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

According to official Saudi figures, around 1.8 million Muslims performed Hajj last year, with approximately 1.6 million coming from outside the kingdom.