As part of the digital transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its ongoing efforts to enhance the experience of pilgrims, the General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has launched the “Let Them Circumambulate” e-service. This service is part of a comprehensive suite of technological solutions designed to facilitate the performance of Hajj and Umrah rituals and provide a seamless and safe spiritual experience for the millions of Muslims who visit the Holy Lands annually.
General context: Digital transformation in the service of the Two Holy Mosques
The “Let Them Circumambulate” service falls within the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes serving the pilgrims. Historically, guidance and circumambulation services relied on personal relationships and experiences passed down through generations. Today, the Kingdom is working to govern and regulate these services through reliable digital platforms that ensure efficiency and transparency, allowing pilgrims easy access to certified and qualified guides. This eliminates any irregular practices and guarantees the quality of services provided.
The importance and impact of the "Let them walk" service
The significance of this service lies in its bringing religious guidance into the digital age, benefiting pilgrims from around the world. For international pilgrims who may not be fluent in Arabic or are visiting the holy sites for the first time, the platform provides a bridge of trust and security, allowing them to book an officially accredited guide (mutawwif) to assist them in performing the rituals step by step. This not only reduces the language barrier but also ensures that the pilgrim performs their rituals correctly according to the Sunnah, thus enhancing the peace and spirituality of their religious journey.
How to benefit from the “Let Them Perform” service to book a pilgrim guide?
The authority explained that pilgrims and visitors can benefit from the service to book a guide or mentor to help them perform the rituals by following these simple steps through the official application:
- Download the app: Start by clicking on the “Start Service” option which will direct you to the official app download page.
- Login: Download the app and create a new account if you don't have one, or log in directly.
- Service selection: From the main menu, select the required service, whether it is “Tawaf” only or a full “Umrah”.
- Booking confirmation: Go to your shopping cart to review your order, then click “Continue”.
- Data entry: Enter the required booking details and confirm the order.
- Order tracking: You can view your order details and status through the “My Orders” section.
- Contacting the guide: After confirming the booking, you can contact the guide directly through the available communication channels within the application to coordinate the meeting point and start performing the rituals.
- Experience evaluation: After completing Umrah, don't forget to evaluate your experience to contribute to continuously improving the quality of service.
Digital Guide: Your smart companion during Tawaf and Sa'i
In addition to the service for booking guides, the authority also offers the “Digital Guide” or Smart Guide feature, a digital assistance tool integrated into the application to help visitors perform their rituals independently. This feature includes:
- Textual and audio supplications: More than 170 textual and audio supplications are provided that the pilgrim can listen to or read during Tawaf and Sa’i.
- The circuit counter: This feature helps you accurately track the number of circuits in Tawaf and Sa'i to avoid mistakes or forgetfulness.
- The Guide to the Rites: A simplified explanation of the steps for performing Umrah, starting from Ihram and ending with Tahallul.
- Guide maps: These show the locations for performing rituals within the Grand Mosque in Mecca, such as the locations for circumambulation, prayer areas, and the Sa’i area.
The launch of such advanced digital services reflects the Kingdom’s firm commitment to harnessing the latest technologies to serve Islam and Muslims, and to ensure that the Hajj and Umrah journey is an integrated faith-based experience that combines authenticity and modernity.
