Hajj & Umrah Conference Kicks Off In Jeddah; Goals and Motives

Web Desk — The Fourth Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition kicked off in Jeddah, marking a significant step toward improving services for pilgrims visiting Makkah and Madinah. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, the event reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage journey under Vision 2030.

Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the event, which brought together ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from 87 countries. The conference celebrates a record-breaking milestone: in 2024, 18,535,689 pilgrims and Umrah performers visited the holy cities, including 1.6 million Hajj pilgrims.

“The Road to the Nusuk” – Transforming the Pilgrim Journey

Themed “The Road to the Nusuk,” the four-day event features over 300 local and international organizations showcasing innovative solutions to enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience. Topics like crowd management, transportation, hospitality, and eco-friendly technologies are central to the discussions.

Key highlights of the event include:

• 47 discussion sessions and 50 workshops on sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital solutions.
• Opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs to drive innovation in the Hajj and Umrah sector.
• The “Humanizing the Holy Sites” hackathon, organized by Umm Al-Qura University, encouraging sustainable solutions to improve the pilgrim experience while reducing environmental impact.

International Collaborations to Enhance Pilgrim Access

The conference also witnessed agreements between Saudi Arabia and countries like Pakistan, India, and Indonesia, ensuring streamlined pilgrimage experiences:

• Pakistan: An agreement was signed to facilitate 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims for Hajj 2025.
• India: A deal enables 175,025 Indian pilgrims to perform Hajj.
• Indonesia: 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims will embark on the journey under a similar arrangement.

Vision 2030: A New Era for Pilgrims

The event underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing Hajj and Umrah services in line with Vision 2030. Saed Al-Jahni, Chairman of the Coordination Council for Domestic Pilgrims Service Facilities, highlighted the event’s role in fostering innovation, partnerships, and knowledge exchange to improve services for the Guests of Allah.

Additionally, Mohammed Muajini, Chairman of Ashraqat Hajj Company, emphasized leveraging technology and AI to revolutionize the pilgrim experience.

Looking Ahead

The conference will culminate with a ministerial session where officials will present new initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing the spiritual journey for millions of pilgrims worldwide.