Jeddah: The 4th Hajj Umrah Service Conference and Exhibition, organized by the Hajj Umrah Ministry and the Pilgrimage Experience Program, began in Jeddah on Monday.
Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Mecca, inaugurated the event, which was attended by Minister of Hajj, Umra Tawfiq Al-Rabiya, Islamic ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from 87 countries.
Al-Rabiya has set a historical record that the total number of pilgrims and Umrah performers who visited Makkah and Medina in 2024 was 18,535,689, including 16,924,689 Umrah performers and 1,611,310 Hajj. announced that it had been reached.
This four-day event, themed ‘The Road to Nusku’, will feature over 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovation and technology to enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience.
According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, key themes include logistics, transportation, crowd management, housing, hospitality and catering, which are pillars to improve rituals and pilgrim services.
The event will include 47 discussion sessions, 50 workshops, and over 130 national and international speakers, covering sustainability, green technology, AI in crowd management, digital solutions, and more. It focuses on opportunities for startups and innovators in the Hajj sector.
Saeed Aljani, Chairman of the National Pilgrim Services Facilities Coordination Council, told Arab News that the event reflects the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of enhancing the guest experience of Allah and providing first-class services. he said.
He further added, “This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together to showcase Saudi Arabia’s Hajj initiative, exchange knowledge, anticipate future trends, share best practices, and foster partnerships, agreements, and initiatives. We are bringing together thought leaders and innovators. The event also brings together researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to address challenges and improve services for Allah’s guests.”
Mohammed Muajini, Chairman of Ashraqat Hajj company, said the aim is to showcase the company’s achievements and future efforts to enhance Hajj and Umrah services through technology and artificial intelligence, in line with Vision 2030. said.
On the sidelines of the conference, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement allowing 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims to perform the hajj this year, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Al-Rabiya.
Saudi Arabia has also signed a Hajj agreement with India, allowing 175,025 Indian pilgrims to perform the pilgrimage this year.
India’s Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju completed the agreement with Al Rabia. “We are committed to providing the best possible service to all Hajj pilgrims,” Rijiju wrote to X.
Indonesia plans to send 221,000 pilgrims under a similar agreement signed by Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and Saudi Hajj Minister in Jeddah.
Meanwhile, Umm Al-Qura University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, will hold a “Humanization of the Holy Land” hackathon, inviting university students, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, and experts to contribute innovations to improve the pilgrimage experience. developing sustainable and sustainable solutions. While reducing your impact on the environment.
A ministerial session will be held where key ministers and government officials will discuss and announce new and ongoing services, projects and initiatives designed to improve the pilgrimage journey.
