In brief
At the 29th Algiers International Book Fair, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs displayed digital tools such as the Rushd app and Correct Quotation, along with a 3D virtual Hajj and VR tours of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The presentation, part of Saudi Arabia’s role as Guest of Honor, underscored the Kingdom’s push to use technology for Islamic guidance and education.
In Algiers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcased its digital outreach at the 29th Algiers International Book Fair, with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance positioning its offerings inside the Saudi pavilion, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The pavilion, part of the Kingdom’s designation as Guest of Honor, was designed to demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to harnessing modern technology for Islamic guidance, facilitating access to reliable content and advancing digital transformation in awareness services. The ministry’s participation aimed to highlight efforts to serve Islam and Muslims through contemporary tools.
Digital Services
The Saudi pavilion featured a suite of electronic services and digital applications, including the “Rushd” application, which is described as offering a web‑based Holy Quran, prayer times based on the Umm Al‑Qura Calendar, and a Qibla direction service. These features are presented as tools to help worshippers plan their daily prayers and navigate to the qibla, according to the agency’s coverage.
Also on display was the “Correct Quotation” application, a program that facilitates accurate citation of Islamic texts. The Saudi Press Agency highlighted that this tool enables users to locate verses and passages correctly, supporting scholars, teachers and the general public in their study of the Qur’an and other religious literature.
In addition to the apps, the pavilion offered a multilingual, interactive 3D virtual Hajj experience. Visitors could observe and learn about Hajj rituals in a simulated environment, a feature the agency described as an educational tool that makes pilgrimage knowledge accessible to those who are unable to travel. The virtual guide highlights essential steps of the Hajj, providing contextual insight and practical guidance.
Collectively, these digital services were positioned as part of a broader strategy to modernize Islamic guidance, ensuring that accurate and trustworthy content is widely available through the latest technologies.
Virtual Reality Experiences
The pavilion also employed virtual reality technology to create immersive presentations of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the VR experience allows visitors to explore the interior of both holy sites, immersing them in architectural details and the spiritual atmosphere that the Kingdom seeks to preserve and share with the world.
These virtual tours were framed as an extension of Saudi Arabia’s responsibility toward the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, enhancing accessibility for Muslims worldwide and showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to digital innovation in faith‑based communities.
The extensive display was part of the Kingdom’s official role as Guest of Honor at the 29th Algiers International Book Fair, a position that furthered the Ministry’s objective of projecting Saudi digital solutions across the Islamic world. The agency noted that the event combined cultural diplomacy with technological outreach, emphasizing that the ministry’s initiatives aim to engage users on global platforms and nurture a digitally empowered faith community.
As the fair progressed, visitors of all ages explored the applications and VR experiences, while the Ministry’s materials highlighted the importance of accurate information, user convenience, and immersive education. The Saudi Press Agency’s coverage suggests that the Ministry views these innovations as integral to its mission of providing reliable Islamic content, fostering spiritual growth, and strengthening cross‑cultural Islamic dialogue.
