MEDINA, April 28, 2023: In a world that is becoming increasingly digitised, even prayer mats are not left behind. Masjid-e-Nabawi, the second largest mosque in the world, has installed prayer mats embedded with Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) chips, making worship more convenient and efficient for pilgrims.
According to reports from a news outlet, about 25,000 prayer mats were installed in the mosque with RFID chips that hold specific information such as the quality of the carpet, the date of manufacture, the date of use, and the cleanliness of the mat.
The chip also informs about the location of the mat and when it needs to be washed or cleaned.
Jaber Ahmad Al-Wadaani, the director of the prayer area cleaning department, said that because of the chip, the administration of the Prophet’s mosque knows which prayer mat needs to be cleaned so that the pilgrims do not have any problems.
Apart from this, the chip also continuously monitors the cleaning and maintenance of the mats, and the workers in the mosque work 24 hours a day to clean and perfume all the prayer mats. These prayer mats are made in Saudi Arabia, and the import of prayer mats from Germany, Belgium and Lebanon was stopped in 1999-2000, and since then, prayer mats have been made in a local factory.
The hi-tech prayer mats have made worship more convenient and efficient for the pilgrims, ensuring a clean and comfortable experience.
With the help of technology, the administration of the mosque is working hard to make sure that the pilgrims have the best possible experience during their visit.