DUBAI – The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has published on its Youtubechannel a video giving an insight on how Haj as we know it today willchange in 2030.
Saudi vision 2030 doesn’t only tackle economic and public sectordevelopment but also Haj and Umrah services will be improved. Artificialintelligence and technology as announced by Minister of Haj and Umrah,Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, will give pilgrims to Makkah a highquality experience.
According to the video, Muslims from around the world who intend toundertake Haj would have to apply through a mobile application, and withina few days, they will receive a box that contains an electronic card, abracelet, and an earphone.
The pilgrims should keep these three items with them at all times duringthe Haj.
On arrival at any of the airports, the electronic card will get thepilgrims through customs, and on board of Al Haram fast train that willdrop each person to the hotel registered on the card. The card will also beused to open the hotel room door, without checking in.
The video shows that pilgrim’s luggage will be transferred to each hotelroom in a separate process.
The bracelet will have all the information of the pilgrim, with theearphones must be worn during the days of haj.
The bracelet will count the number of rounds around the Ka’aba, so onedoesn’t lose count. The earphone will help in reciting the Duaa eachpilgrim should be saying at each point.
Even during Al Sai the bracelet counts and will send an alarm to thepilgrim at the point where he is supposed to start jogging. Also losing arelative or a friend will no longer be a problem in 2030. Tracking will bethrough their card through the phone application.
As pilgrims from all over the world come to haj, language has been a majorbarrier between them and the local officials and facilitators, but theearphone has solved that as it will be acting as a translator.
‘Makkah Route’
Development of Haj and Umrah services have already started and Saudi Arabiahas officially launched its first service “Makkah route” in Malaysia andIndonesia.
“Makkah Route” allows Malaysian and Indonesian pilgrims to do immigrationpreclearance from their airports.
Their luggage was sorted before takeoff according to their transportationand housing arrangements in Saudi Arabia. So when they landed in SaudiArabia they headed directly to their accommodations without having to dealwith any entry procedure, to find their bags in their rooms.
The service is to be tested for this year, and in coming years to beimplemented in more countries.