Iraqi police are using artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze crowd movements during the Arbaeen pilgrimage this August [1, 2].
The deployment of these systems marks a significant shift in how the state manages one of the world's largest religious gatherings. While authorities prioritize safety, the move raises urgent questions about surveillance and the lack of legal protections for personal data in Iraq.
Security forces have installed the AI monitoring equipment in Karbala at the shrine of Imam Hussein and in nearby Mahmudiyah, located south of Baghdad [1, 2]. The technology is designed to track the movement of the millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims [1] who gather for the annual event. By analyzing crowd density and flow in real time, police said the systems help prevent stampedes and ensure the general safety of the participants [1, 2].
However, the use of these tools has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. These groups said the surveillance threatens the privacy of pilgrims and citizens alike. The concern is amplified by the fact that Iraq currently has no comprehensive data-protection laws to regulate how the collected information is stored, or shared [1, 2].
Monitoring efforts are concentrated at key checkpoints and high-traffic areas around the holy sites. The AI systems allow police to identify potential bottlenecks and deploy resources more efficiently across the region [1, 2]. Despite these operational benefits, critics argue that the lack of a legal framework creates a risk of state overreach and the potential for the technology to be used for purposes beyond public safety [1, 2].
Police officials said the priority remains the security of the millions [1] of visitors. They said the AI tools are a necessary evolution in crowd management for an event of this scale [1, 2].
“Iraqi police are deploying artificial‑intelligence systems to monitor and analyse crowd movements”
The integration of AI into the Arbaeen pilgrimage reflects a growing trend of 'smart' policing in the Middle East. By deploying these tools in a legal vacuum where data-protection laws are absent, the Iraqi government establishes a precedent for mass surveillance. This creates a tension between the immediate logistical need to manage millions of people and the long-term risk of permanent digital footprints for religious pilgrims.
