“Nawaf and Noura” – Smart Robots Welcome 5-Star Pilgrims in Mina and Accompany Them Throughout Their Stay
Alaa Muhdar: The robots speak to pilgrims, offer guidance and awareness, and provide reassurance to the Guests of Allah.
In a groundbreaking step reflecting the growing integration of technology in Hajj services, Saudi mutawwif Alaa Muhdar has launched a unique initiative by deploying humanoid robots in his 5-star pilgrims’ camps in the holy sites. These robots offer smart, real-time services such as welcoming guests, providing guidance, and delivering awareness messages.
Named “Nawaf” and “Noura”, the two robots feature advanced interactive capabilities, including multilingual communication, Hajj-related guidance, and responses to pilgrims’ questions regarding transportation, ritual timings, and service locations.
Alaa Muhdar, the mutawwif responsible for Egyptian 5-star Hajj pilgrims, stated: “We are proud to be among the first to implement interactive artificial intelligence in serving the Guests of Allah. Nawaf and Noura are not just robots—they are an integral part of our hospitality team, reflecting our commitment to continuous innovation and providing a safe, seamless, and enriched Hajj experience.”
He added: “Modern technologies are our tool for enhancing service quality and easing the burden on human staff—while maintaining the personal, compassionate touch we value in our service to the pilgrims.”
It’s worth noting that these robots operate on a programmed schedule that covers the pilgrims’ entire stay in the holy sites, with the ability to update information in real time according to daily changes in movement across Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
Alaa Muhdar is already preparing to expand this initiative in the coming seasons to serve a wider range of pilgrims as part of his broader smart digital transformation plans.
