Saudis turn to digital cameras at Mecca to monitor Haj

Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has acquired advanced security equipment to
protect the annual Muslim pilgrimage.

Officials said the Saudi Interior Ministry has overseen the installation
of cameras and sensors to monitor the millions of people expected to arrive
for the Haj pilgrimage in mid-October.

Each year, Saudi Arabia hosts the Haj, the largest religious pilgrimage on Earth.
Each year, Saudi Arabia hosts the Haj, the largest religious pilgrimage on Earth.

The officials said the equipment included digital cameras designed to operate at all times and weather.

“We are using powerful digital cameras for the first time this year,” Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al Zahrani said.

“These cameras can monitor events taking place 60 kilometers away. They can also operate under difficult weather
conditions.”

Al Zahrani, head of the Haj command and control center, said the Public Security Directorate has procured the advanced cameras. He said 4,200 such
cameras, which were not identified, were installed around Mecca, the site of the pilgrimage.

“This number will increase with the expansion of the holy sites,” Al Zahrani said.

  , , , ,

Saudis turn to digital cameras at Mecca to monitor Haj added by on
View all posts by Editor One →