Saudi Arabia launches digital fatwa kiosks at Grand Mosque in Makkah

In January 2026, Saudi Arabia introduced a new digital religious service at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, officially launching specialized fatwa kiosks to provide pilgrims and visitors with immediate, reliable religious guidance during their visit.

The initiative is designed to enhance the worship experience by offering real-time assistance on Islamic rituals, worship practices, and religious rulings directly within the mosque complex. Pilgrims can seek instant answers to their questions without leaving the prayer areas, helping them perform religious duties with greater clarity and confidence.

The kiosks form part of the Kingdom’s broader digital transformation of religious services and complement existing AI-powered fatwa robots, such as the well-known Manara robot. These systems offer simultaneous translation in up to 11 languages, including Arabic, English, Urdu, and French, ensuring accessibility for the Grand Mosque’s diverse international visitors.

For more complex or sensitive questions, the technology allows worshippers to connect directly with qualified scholars and senior clerics through live video or audio calls. This hybrid approach combines automation with human expertise, ensuring accurate and authoritative responses.

Strategically placed in high-traffic areas, including the third Saudi expansion and women’s prayer sections, the kiosks are expected to play a vital role during peak seasons such as Ramadan 2026, when millions of pilgrims visit Makkah.

The initiative is managed by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, an independent authority responsible for overseeing religious services and ensuring moderate, authenticated guidance for Muslims worldwide. The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to blend tradition with technology while maintaining the sanctity and scholarly integrity of Islamic guidance.