As Saudi Arabia prepares for this year’s Hajj season, a new high-tech assistant has arrived at Mecca’s Grand Mosque: Manara 2, the second AI-powered robot introduced to support pilgrims by answering religious questions on the spot.
The smart robot was launched by Abdulrahman Al Sudais, Chief of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the Two Holy Mosques. Designed to assist with Islamic Sharia-related queries, Manara 2 is part of an initiative to integrate cutting-edge technology into the spiritual journey of millions of Muslims visiting Islam’s holiest sites.
What makes Manara 2 stand out is its multilingual functionality and its ability to provide answers from a pre-loaded, governed database. If a question falls outside the stored content, users can initiate a video call with a qualified scholar directly through the device. This provides both accessibility and human connection, all in one tool.
Manara 2 follows the debut of the original Manara robot, which was introduced during the holy month of Ramadan. Both are designed with Islamic motifs that echo the architectural elements of the Two Holy Mosques, blending tradition with innovation.
The evolution of religious guidance at the Grand Mosque has come a long way — from scholars offering advice in person, to consultations over the phone, then digital access, and now, AI-enabled service.
With Manara 2, Saudi Arabia continues to merge heritage and technology, aiming to improve the pilgrim experience and ensure that guidance remains accessible and accurate during one of the most significant religious events in the world.
