MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia may be introducing a high-tech safety measure for Hajj pilgrims, after a stampede during last year’s annual pilgrimage killed more than 700 people. <br /> <br />Reuters reports that according to the Saudi Press Agency, Muslims who flock to the holy city of Mecca yearly may soon be wearing electronic identification bracelets for protection. <br /> <br />The water-resistant and GPS-enabled e-bracelets will contain personal and medical information to help authorities identify and care for individuals in the event of an emergency. <br /> <br />Other features of the bracelet are prayer alerts, which notify worshippers of prayer times, and a compass to indicate which direction to face when praying. A guide to pilgrimage steps and various rituals will also be included, as well as language support for non-Arabic speakers. <br /> <br />Apart from the bracelets, nearly 1,000 surveillance cameras have been installed around the Grand Mosque for added security. <br /> <br />The annual Mecca pilgrimage is scheduled for August and attended by more than two million Muslims from around the world.
