E-Bracelets for all Hajj Pilgrims

THE Kingdom will introduce electronic identification bracelets for all pilgrims to Makkah starting this year, Saudi media said on Thursday, as part of a safety drive a year after the annual Islamic rite suffered its deadliest disaster in a generation.

Scores of people died in a crush when thousands of pilgrims were in Mina for stoning the devil ritual last September.

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 the annual Islamic event.

Saudi Arabia oversees the annual pilgrimage to Makkah by more than two million Muslims from around the world.

Bracing up to ensure a peaceful and smooth Haj this year, the Ministry of Health has designed several methods such as e-applications and awareness booklets to benefit pilgrims during Hajj.E-Bracelets for all Hajj Pilgrims

This is besides the regular arrangements like wearing bracelets etc. for their location and safe return.

The information-loaded to bracelets will help authorities keep track of pilgrims' movements.

Saudi Arabia introduces electronic bracelets for Hajj pilgrims as safety measure

The move comes amid security concerns and is aimed at tackling untoward incidents during the pilgrimage.

He added the e-bracelet is water resistant and is to be worn by each pilgrim. “The e-bracelet has a barcode where all of the pilgrim’s information is stored.

The information stored includes address of residence in the Kingdom and full medical records. By scanning the barcodes, the ministry will be able to obtain all the information it needs.”

He added the project has six phases starting with the initial study of the project, followed by planning the project, getting the approval on it, forming committees, manufacturing and implementation, distribution and supervision.

The source said: “The e-bracelet will have services for pilgrims as well as a GPS system.

The e-bracelet will also have a prayer times alert, a compass pointing the pilgrims to where they should face when they pray, hajjand Umrah steps and supplications for both pilgrimages.”

He also said there would be an information desk contact available in a number of languages to help pilgrims maneuver the streets of Makkah.

“The ministry aims to serve pilgrims and visitors of Makkah within in its utmost capacity.

“The e-bracelet will be a technological revolution that will expedite many processes such as collecting statistics of pilgrims.”

He added a private association of Arab pilgrims has already developed a prototype e-bracelet. “The e-bracelet the association used had the GPS system as its main feature.E-Bracelets for all Hajj Pilgrims

“Their plan was to quickly and easily locate the pilgrims in case of emergencies. “The experiment paved the way for our new e-bracelet.”