Saudi Arabia launched ‘Manara Robot’ to help pilgrims with religious questions [Getty]
Saudi Arabia unveiled the “Manara Robot,” an AI-powered machine designed to answer Umrah pilgrims’ religious questions at the Grand Mosque in Mecca this Ramadan 2025.
The robot, launched by Abdulrahman Al Sudais, the Chief of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the Two Holy Mosques, uses an integrated database to provide immediate answers to Sharia-related queries.
Available in several languages, the machine is a part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing smart digital transformation, aimed at enriching the pilgrim experience and offering quick, accessible fatwas (religious edicts).
The AI system also connects users to top clerics through video calls for more complex questions not stored in its database.
Al Sudais said the machine’s role as a “smart reference” for religious guidance, blending traditional methods with modern technological advancements. The machine’s design reflects Islamic architecture, staying true to the cultural heritage of the Two Holy Mosques.
Historically, the Grand Mosque’s religious services have evolved from clerics delivering fatwas in person to phone consultations and, more recently, online platforms. The introduction of the AI robot marks a new phase in this progression, offering instant answers and supporting the growing number of worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
This innovation is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to integrate AI into various aspects of public life. The “Manara Robot” is only one of several AI-driven initiatives introduced this Ramadan. Guidance robots in different languages have already been deployed across Makkah to assist pilgrims.
This technological leap comes after the kingdom launched a $100 billion Project Transcendence as part of a global quest to lead artificial intelligence and data analytics among Arab countries.
As part of its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom is attempting to diversify its economy and establish a tech ecosystem to compete with global technology hubs.
In the last two years, the country plans to splash a $40 billion fund to invest in artificial intelligence to invest in artificial intelligence, microchip manufacturing, and high-tech data storage.
