E-Prosiding Persidangan Serantau Manasik Haji 2025 (MANASIK2025)

MANASIK2025 Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7-8 Oktober 2025 587 anxiety related to navigation and procedure, particularly for first- time pilgrims or those unfamiliar with local languages and customs (3nttae.com, 2025). Wearable Health and Safety Technology Wearable devices including GPS-enabled smart bracelets now carry personal identification and medical information, facilitating quick assistance for lost or ailing pilgrims (3nttae.com, 2025). Emergency alerts can be triggered automatically if the wearer experiences health issues or faces crowd hazards. Additional innovations such as smart prayer mats and digital counter rings aid spiritual concentration while integrating safety features (Abdoh, 2025; Alquayt et al., 2025; Baihan et al., 2025). Environmental Comfort Innovations To combat Saudi Arabia’s extreme summer heat during pilgrimage periods, the 2025 Hajj saw the deployment of the world’s largest cooling system at the Grand Mosque. This system uses underground chilled water pipelines and advanced filtration to pump cool, dust-free air throughout the mosque's prayer halls, significantly reducing heat-related health incidents (Gulf Business, 2025). This infrastructure improvement plays an essential role in safeguarding elderly and vulnerable pilgrims. [95] Challenges and Areas for Improvement Despite these technological advancements, challenges remain in achieving universal technology adoption among pilgrims, particularly seniors or those from remote regions with limited digital literacy (Rahman & Bustaman, 2025). Infrastructural variability still affects connectivity in certain zones, and concerns about data privacy and security necessitate continuous improvement in technical and regulatory frameworks (Eldein et al., 2021). Overall, the fusion of advanced digital technologies with religious pilgrimage management in 2025 represents a transformative milestone in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and spiritual enrichment of millions of worshippers, exemplifying how tradition and innovation can harmoniously coexist. Challenges in Pilgrimage Management Challenge Description Sources Overcrowding Stampede risks and accidents in ritual zones (Alshahrani, n.d.) Communication Gaps Multilingual pilgrims face lack of timely information (Alhamami, 2018; Arlikatti et al., 2022) Health and Safety Heatstroke and medical emergencies in crowded environments (Yezli, 2023) Logistical Complexities Complex transport, accommodation, and timing needs (Abudiyah, 2020; Owaidah et al., 2023)