E-Prosiding Persidangan Serantau Manasik Haji 2025 (MANASIK2025)

MANASIK2025 Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7-8 Oktober 2025 595 rituals. These contributions illustrate how AI applications extend beyond logistics to play a vital role in protecting pilgrims’ lives. Communication and language diversity constitute another recurrent theme. Pilgrims from more than 180 countries often face barriers in understanding Arabic, Urdu or English instructions, leading to confusion in both religious and logistical matters. AI-powered natural language processing (NLP) systems - such as real-time translation applications and multilingual chatbots - have been identified as effective interventions to bridge these gaps (Qurashi & Sharpley, 2018). By enabling pilgrims to access guidance in their own languages, these tools foster inclusivity and preserve dignity, ensuring that no individual is excluded from full participation due to linguistic differences. Beyond logistical and health-related applications, scholars have increasingly emphasized the spiritual dimensions of AI in Hajj. Mobile applications equipped with AI can guide pilgrims step by step through rituals, provide reminders of appropriate prayers, and explain the meanings of specific acts of worship (Alafif et al., 2025; Shambour & Gutub, 2022). This shift demonstrates the growing recognition of AI as more than a managerial tool; it is also becoming a facilitator of religious education and spiritual enrichment. At the same time, some scholars caution against over-reliance on such technologies, warning that excessive automation may risk undermining the personal and communal essence of pilgrimage (Qurashi & Sharpley, 2018). Taken together, the literature indicates a growing consensus that AI has the potential to reshape Hajj in multidimensional ways. From crowd safety and healthcare to communication and spirituality, AI applications are increasingly recognized as holistic supports for pilgrims. Nevertheless, scholars emphasize that any technological intervention must be carefully aligned with Islamic values and the sacred nature of the pilgrimage (Rahman et al., 2022). Building on these insights, this paper conceptualizes AI not only as a logistical solution but also as a means of enhancing the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the Hajj experience. CONCEPTUAL BENEFITS OF AI FOR HAJJ PILGRIMS This section will discuss the five key areas that have been identified from previous studies (Alafif et al., 2025; Alquayt et al., 2025; Alharbi et al., 2025; Shah, 2024; Qurashi & Sharpley, 2018) focusing on the general wellbeing of Hajj pilgrims that bears the potential for integration of AI while preserving the sanctity of the pilgrimage through its application in transforming the way pilgrims engage with Hajj. 1. Crowd Management and Safety Crowd control has long been one of the most pressing challenges of the Hajj, where millions of pilgrims gather within limited spaces over a short duration. Past incidents of overcrowding and stampedes underscore the limitations of traditional security measures and highlight the need for intelligent systems capable of anticipating risks. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers advanced solutions by integrating real- time surveillance with predictive modelling to prevent crises before they occur. Machine learning algorithms can simulate crowd behavior, forecast congestion hotspots, and recommend interventions such as rerouting pilgrims or adjusting ritual schedules to reduce bottlenecks (Alafif et al., 2025; Shambour & Gutub, 2022). AI also strengthens situational awareness for both authorities and pilgrims. Drone surveillance equipped with computer vision analytics enables continuous monitoring of movement patterns, while AI-powered mobile applications can issue alerts advising pilgrims on alternative routes. This combination of institutional oversight and individual empowerment illustrates how AI can establish a safer and more organized environment for fulfilling sacred rituals (Shah, 2024).