The General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, on Monday launched the “Virtual Black Stone Initiative” with the aim of “using virtual reality and digital experiences that simulate real reality,” according to a statement by the official news agency (SPA).

 

Al-Sudais stressed in the statement, "the importance of creating a virtual simulation environment to simulate the largest possible number of senses, such as vision, hearing, touch, even smell, to reach all the outcomes of the presidency that pertain to the Two Holy Mosques and what the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is doing to all parts of the world through the virtual world, which clearly simulates reality." And true."

 

He pointed out that the Two Holy Mosques "possess great religious and historical sites that must be digitized and communicated to all, in light of the capabilities and generous support provided by our wise leadership."

 

The statement did not provide additional details about the initiative, but it raised questions on social media about its purpose, and whether the Kingdom would undertake other similar initiatives.

 

Some questioned the possibility of creating a "virtual Kaaba" as well, and performing Hajj and Umrah from home in the future, using glasses.