VIDEO: Saudi forces will use electronic ID bracelets to guarantee pilgrim safety this Hajj
Less than a year after the human stampede that caused the deaths of about 2,ooo pilgrims who were suffocated or crushed during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Mecca, making it the deadliest Hajj disaster in history, Saudi Arabian security forces have begun preparing for the 2016’s Hajj.
This year, Saudi security forces will be utilizing electronic identification bracelets to avoid a re-occurence of 2015’s Hajj disaster.
Credit: BBC
According to Saudi Press Agency, the bracelets will contain personal information such as passport numbers and addresses as well as medical information of individual Hajj pilgrims that will help authorities identify them and provide care.
IBTimes reports that the e-bracelets are water-resistant and are also connected to GPS, which will not only help authorities keep track of pilgrims’ movements, but will also instruct pilgrims about the timings of prayers and other rituals at Mecca. Through the tracking device, the pilgrims will also be connected to a multi-lingual help desk that will guide non-Arabic speaking pilgrims about the various rituals scheduled at the holy Islamic event.
