A Saudi navigation app is helping Umrah pilgrims find their way through Makkah’s busy streets, historic sites and religious landmarks as digital services become a larger part of the pilgrimage experience.
Hudhud uses digital maps and navigation tools to guide pilgrims and visitors to religious, historical and tourist destinations across the city.
With Umrah pilgrims arriving throughout the year, many visitors face difficulty navigating Makkah’s alleys, traffic routes and landmark locations, especially during busy periods.
The app, available in multiple languages, uses mapping technology to provide accurate location details and suggest routes to selected destinations.
Saad Al-Joudi, a specialist in Hajj and Umrah affairs, said locally developed mapping apps have become an important part of pilgrim services.
“Hudhud represents a model for Saudi technology that can add real value to the Umrah experience”, he said.
“Its role is not limited to directing users to their destination. It also helps them discover places they may not have known about, historic sites, landmarks of religious significance, or services they need along the way".
Al-Joudi said the growing use of digital tools is now visible in the daily experience of pilgrims, many of whom plan and move around the city using smartphones.
He added that reliable national mapping services improve service quality and support Vision 2030 goals linked to enhancing the pilgrim experience and using technology more effectively.
The app also gives visitors easier access to Makkah’s Islamic heritage, allowing them to explore religious and historical locations alongside performing Umrah rituals.
For first-time visitor Samir Al-Maghrabi, Hudhud made moving around Makkah easier and reduced the need to search online or ask strangers for directions.
“I wanted to visit several landmarks connected to Makkah’s history, but I did not know where they were or the best way to get to them,” he said. “Using the app saved me a lot of time. The maps were clear and easy to use, which made getting around far more comfortable and let me spend my time on worship and visiting historical places".