Name in original language
نظام بطاقة نسك
Initiative overview
The Nusuk Card System seeks to resolve the immense logistical and safety challenges associated with managing over 1.8 million pilgrims within the geographically constrained areas of the Holy Sites (Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and the Jamarat facility) during the Hajj season. The primary opportunity it leverages is the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, specifically RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) video analytics. The core objectives are to verify pilgrim identities seamlessly, monitor real-time locations, ensure service providers (Hajj companies) comply with strict dispatching schedules, and proactively manage crowd flows to prevent life-threatening bottlenecks or counter-flow movements.
The initiative operates by issuing every pilgrim an RFID-enabled Nusuk Card, which serves as their official identification and access pass. As pilgrims move through camps and pathways, strategically placed RFID readers capture their data. This is complemented by a network of over 800 AI-powered cameras installed at entrances, corridors, and critical choke points like the Jamarat building. The AI system analyses the camera feeds to perform headcounts, detect anomalies such as pilgrims moving against the designated flow, and predict potential congestion points before they escalate into critical incidents.
Looking to the future, the initiative is expected to scale significantly. While implemented on a limited basis previously, it is undergoing massive expansion for the 2025 Hajj season. The system aims to build predictive indicators for various scenarios, such as the housing of pilgrims from different nationalities in adjacent camps, and to track the complete journey of a pilgrim by calculating readings between different points. This will institutionalise data-driven decision-making within the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, allowing for dynamic, real-time adjustments to crowd management strategies and improving the overall experience and safety of the pilgrims.
Results, outcomes and impacts
The Nusuk Card System has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing crowd management and pilgrim safety. By integrating RFID tracking with AI camera headcounts, the Ministry has been able to calculate the precise percentages of pilgrims moving between different points, providing a comprehensive view of the pilgrim journey. The system has enabled real-time monitoring of service companies, ensuring their adherence to updated dispatch plans and schedules based on analysed data. This proactive approach has facilitated the early detection of anomalies, such as counter-flow movements, allowing authorities to intervene swiftly and prevent dangerous bottlenecks. As the system expands in the upcoming season, it is expected to yield even more.




























