The introduction of advanced technology to make Haj and Umrah more comfortable for pilgrims will be the main topic at a forum looking at the annual pilgrimages.
The forum of Haj studies will be organized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute of Haj Research at the Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah on June 12-17.
“The forum aims to realize the vision of King Abdullah to develop Haj and Umrah services, making use of the latest technology on the basis of extensive studies undertaken to make the performance of the pilgrimage more comfortable and safer,” Rector of the institute Abdul Aziz Saruji said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after a preparatory meeting of the forum held in Jeddah on Thursday.
“Haj officials and companies providing Haj and Umrah services will present their observations and suggestions on the basis of their experiences every year,” Saruji said.
The exhibition on Haj and Umrah to be held on the sidelines of the forum will focus on the achievements of various Haj service organizations and government establishments, he said.
Major topics to be discussed in the forum include infrastructure development for information technology related to Haj, statistical studies on the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, statistical studies on the pilgrims, planning and development of the urban and residential environment for Makkah and Madinah and the holy sites, planning and studies on traffic and crowd management, improvement of utilities, and maintenance of standards.
It will also discuss environmental and health issues including air pollution, water quality, sunstroke and public health. Another topic of discussion will be issues related to sacrificial animals and ways to increase the efficiency of manpower working in the service of pilgrims.
The forum will also discuss various aspects of media coverage and advertising related to Haj.
He said the forum has been held annually over the past 12 years and 130 research theses have been presented so far. Fifty work papers will be discussed in nine seminars at forums.
The forum will also have a workshop on volunteer service and a seminar on pilgrims’ health chaired by the Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Rabeeah, the rector said.
–Agencies