Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has recently introduced several electronic services to enhance the pilgrim experience and ease the tasks of the ministry staff during Hajj and Umrah. With the aim of implementing digital transformation standards according to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the ministry has launched a Sharia awareness app which educates pilgrims on Hajj rituals. The app also offers translators for those who require a language other than Arabic.
Another e-service is the Rushd application, which provides reliable e-books distributed through an e-library. Additionally, a new electronic transaction platform, report management, and a virtual workspace for ministry staff have been introduced. The Hajj and Visit Committee reports that 744,862 people have arrived in Madinah to perform this year’s pilgrimage thus far.
To ensure the visitors’ comfort and security, a series of training sessions have been organized for staff to manage crowd flow, clarify regulations, and learn basic language skills. The Presidency in Madinah has also launched a program titled Comfort and Spirituality in the Prophet’s Mosque, which warmly welcomes pilgrims to the site.
Furthermore, the Health Affairs department has upgraded Jdeidet Arar Central Hospital to accommodate 50 beds, including six highly equipped intensive care beds. The hospital also houses ten outpatient clinics, an operating room, and an emergency department. The ministry’s continuous efforts aim at providing a comfortable and safe experience for pilgrims, while also increasing the efficiency and productivity of the ministry staff.
