In brief
At the 29th Algiers International Book Fair, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs highlighted its digital outreach with apps such as Rushd and Correct Quotation, as well as immersive VR experiences of the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and a virtual Hajj guide. The Kingdom, serving as guest of honor, aimed to demonstrate how technology can enhance access to authentic Islamic content and facilitate religious observances.
At the 29th Algiers International Book Fair, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance opened a dedicated section within the Saudi pavilion to showcase an array of electronic services and digital applications.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia served as the guest of honor at the fair held in Algiers on November 3, 2026, with the Ministry’s participation geared toward highlighting its efforts to harness modern technologies in serving Islam and Muslims. The goal was to facilitate access to reliable Islamic content and advance digital transformation in awareness and guidance services.
Digital Tools on Display
Visitors to the pavilion were introduced to the Rushd application, which provides a web‑based Holy Quran interface, prayer times calculated according to the Umm Al‑Qura Calendar, and a Qibla direction service. The application’s multilingual design aims to support users in a range of languages.
The pavilion also featured the Correct Quotation application, a tool that enables users to access Islamic texts and retrieve accurate citations. The program is designed to help scholars and laypeople alike verify verses and references.
A multilingual, interactive 3D virtual Hajj experience was available for visitors, allowing them to learn about the rituals of Hajj in an immersive environment. This service was highlighted as part of the Ministry’s broader push to bring key aspects of faith to a digital audience.
Additionally, the pavilion offered virtual reality technology that lets users explore the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina through immersive presentations. The VR demonstrations were positioned as a means to care for the Two Holy Mosques and enhance visitor experience for those who could not travel in person.
Throughout the fair, Ministry representatives explained that these digital initiatives reflect an ongoing strategy to modernize the delivery of religious guidance. They emphasized that the suite of apps and virtual experiences is intended to bring authentic Islamic teaching into everyday life through technology.
While the Ministry’s presentation was clear about the features of its digital offerings, details on user adoption, future expansion, or integration with other Saudi institutions were not disclosed during the event. The fair’s organizers did not release attendance figures for the Saudi pavilion, and the Ministry has not provided a public projection for how these digital tools will influence global engagement.
There are no documented uncertainties reported by the available sources regarding the Saudi Ministry’s digital services showcased at the Algiers International Book Fair. No alternate accounts or open questions have been mentioned in the coverage provided by the Saudi Press Agency. The facts presented reflect the Ministry’s stated objectives and the features of the applications on display.
