In brief
At the 2026 Algiers International Book Fair, Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Affairs Ministry installed a virtual‑reality (VR) exhibit that lets visitors walk through the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The booth also showcases several digital services—an electronic Quran, real‑time prayer times, qibla directions, a citation‑accuracy app, and a 3D pilgrimage simulation in multiple languages—demonstrating the kingdom’s investment in tech‑driven religious education and outreach. The display attracted a high number of visitors and highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sharing its cultural and religious heritage on an international stage.
The Islamic Affairs Ministry of Saudi Arabia unveiled a virtual‑reality (VR) experience at its booth during the 2026 Algiers International Book Fair, which ran from October 28 to November 7 in the Palace of Exhibitions in the city’s northern suburb.
Visitors to the Saudi pavilion could immerse themselves in a digital tour of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The VR set recreates the interior of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, allowing users to explore the shrines of the two holy cities in realistic detail.
Beneath the VR showcase, the booth highlighted several digital services promoted by the ministry: an electronic Quran, real‑time prayer‑time schedules for the Hejaz region, a qibla direction finder, a citation‑accuracy application, and a 3D pilgrimage simulation. The three‑dimensional pilgrimage is available in several languages, letting users follow the steps of a traditional Hajj in a virtual environment.
The exhibit reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to combine tech innovation with Islamic education. By presenting advanced digital tools at an international literary event, the ministry aims to raise awareness of its religious and cultural outreach programs and strengthen ties with visitors worldwide.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the VR experience attracted a large stream of visitors eager to learn about the holy sites and to engage with the kingdom’s digital offerings.
