MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia may be introducing a high-tech safety measure for Hajj pilgrims, after a stampede during last year’s annual pilgrimage killed more than 700 people.
Reuters reports that according to the Saudi Press Agency, Muslims who flock to the holy city of Mecca yearly may soon be wearing electronic identification bracelets for protection.
The water-resistant and GPS-enabled e-bracelets will contain personal and medical information to help authorities identify and care for individuals in the event of an emergency.
Other features of the bracelet are prayer alerts, which notify worshippers of prayer times, and a compass to indicate which direction to face when praying. A guide to pilgrimage steps and various rituals will also be included, as well as language support for non-Arabic speakers.
Apart from the bracelets, nearly 1,000 surveillance cameras have been installed around the Grand Mosque for added security.
The annual Mecca pilgrimage is scheduled for August and attended by more than two million Muslims from around the world.
