In a pioneering move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to harnessing the latest technologies to serve the religious sector, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies to serve participants in the 27th King Salman Local Competition for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran. This innovative initiative aims to enhance the experience for both contestants and visitors, adding a modern dimension to this important religious event.

Advanced technologies to serve the people of the Quran

The Ministry has provided advanced robots powered by artificial intelligence, capable of communicating in over 95 languages. These robots act as intelligent and interactive guides, providing comprehensive and accurate information about the competition's events. Services offered by the robots include displaying the number of participants, details of the six competition categories, and information about the total prize money of 7 million Saudi Riyals. A notable technical feature is the robots' ability to send all information and data directly to participants' smartphones via WhatsApp, facilitating quick and easy access to information.

The competition is in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This step is not merely a passing technological update, but rather an integral part of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs' strategy, which aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Vision seeks comprehensive digital transformation across all sectors of the state, including the non-profit sector and religious services. The integration of artificial intelligence into a prestigious competition like the King Salman Quran Memorization Competition reflects the leadership's commitment to harmonizing the authenticity embodied in the care of the Holy Quran with the modernity of utilizing the latest technological advancements to serve Islam and Muslims.

The importance of the competition and the qualifying rounds

The King Salman Local Competition is gaining significant importance both locally and regionally, serving as a platform for honorable competition among the sons and daughters of the nation in memorizing the Holy Quran. This year's competition features 129 finalists, reflecting the growing interest and enthusiasm for memorizing and reciting the Holy Quran.

The final rounds of the competition began yesterday, Friday, with specialized judging panels listening to the participants' recitations according to precise criteria that ensure fairness and transparency. The qualifying events are scheduled to continue until the 29th of this month, amidst a highly spiritual and competitive atmosphere, supported by advanced logistical and technical services that guarantee the comfort of the contestants and facilitate their participation.

The National Center for Meteorology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued its daily report on the expected weather conditions for today (Saturday), with the forecasts outlining varying weather patterns, including rainfall in mountainous areas and surface wind activity in open areas, reflecting the great climatic and geographical diversity that the Kingdom enjoys.

Details of the rain and fog situation

The center explained in its report that there is still a chance of light rain, possibly accompanied by reduced horizontal visibility due to fog, in parts of the mountainous regions of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, extending to the highlands of the Makkah region. This weather pattern is typical of these areas, which are characterized by their rugged terrain and the Sarawat Mountains, which act as a reservoir for moisture and cloud condensation, making them susceptible to rainfall even during periods of stable weather in other regions.

Surface winds and dust

Meanwhile, the National Center for Meteorology warned of the continued impact of active winds stirring up dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility, across large parts of northern, central, and eastern regions of the Kingdom. This includes parts of Tabuk, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders regions, with effects extending to parts of Hail, Al-Qassim, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. These weather phenomena are common in open desert areas, where temperature and atmospheric pressure differences contribute to the activity of surface winds.

Red Sea conditions and the importance of warnings

Regarding the maritime conditions, the report indicated that surface winds over the Red Sea will be northeasterly to southeasterly, shifting to southwesterly to northwesterly during the afternoon, with speeds ranging from 14-34 km/h over the northern and central parts. In the southern part, winds will shift from southeasterly to southerly at speeds of 15-35 km/h, potentially reaching 50 km/h towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, necessitating caution for seafarers and fishermen.

The importance of following weather forecasts

These daily reports are of paramount importance to citizens and residents, as they aid in planning intercity travel, especially given warnings of dust that may reduce visibility on highways connecting Riyadh with the northern and eastern regions. Experts also consistently advise following traffic safety guidelines while driving in foggy conditions in the southern highlands, and recommend that those with respiratory conditions avoid direct exposure to dust in areas affected by strong winds.