As part of the qualitative leap in services provided to pilgrims, and under the direct guidance of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Ministry achieved a new digital milestone through the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, Umrah and Visitation. (7,412,500) awareness messages were broadcast via an integrated network of modern electronic screens in Makkah, from the start of the Umrah season until the end of Jumada al-Ula 1447 AH.
Digital transformation and keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This strategic step aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically within the "Serving the Guests of God" program, which aims to facilitate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and enrich the religious and cultural experience for pilgrims. These modern technologies represent an advanced alternative to traditional methods, contributing to the rapid and efficient delivery of accurate religious information and organizational guidelines to large numbers of visitors simultaneously. This reflects the wise leadership's commitment to harnessing all available technological capabilities to serve those visiting the Two Holy Mosques.
Service scope and geographic distribution
The Ministry carefully selected strategic locations to ensure its messages reached the widest possible audience, installing and operating 40 giant, high-definition screens in 20 key locations. These included the prayer rooms of major hotels surrounding the central area of the Grand Mosque, as well as mosques in the vicinity of the Haram (the area between Mecca and Medina) frequented by pilgrims entering into the state of Ihram (ritual consecration). These screens operate around the clock, providing engaging visual content that combines religious guidance with organizational instructions.
Multilingualism and the universality of the message
Recognizing the cultural and linguistic diversity of pilgrims, the messages broadcast were diversified to include major world languages: Arabic, English, Indonesian, French, Urdu, and Hindi (Malaybari). More than 1,347,000 people directly benefited from these services, helping to remove language barriers and ensure a correct understanding of the rituals.
Comprehensive content and smart technologies
The messages were not limited to preaching alone, but also included:
- A detailed explanation of the Umrah rituals step by step according to the Prophetic guidance.
- Explanations regarding daily worship and transactions.
- Awareness messages about security systems and instructions to ensure crowd safety.
- The display of smart “barcodes” allows pilgrims to instantly download books and brochures from the Ministry’s electronic library, which is full of hundreds of reliable scientific titles.
Promoting moderation and facilitating religious rites
These tireless efforts aim to solidify the principles of moderation and balance, highlighting the tolerance and ease of Islam in worship and conduct. Through this comprehensive program, the Ministry also seeks to teach pilgrims how to perform their rituals with tranquility and peace, avoiding violations of Islamic law or inappropriate behavior, thus enhancing the spirituality of the pilgrimage and fulfilling the objectives of Umrah in refining the soul and strengthening Islamic brotherhood.
