The General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina announced the launch of its comprehensive operational plan for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This plan comes as part of early preparations to welcome the blessed month, which witnesses the influx of millions of Muslims from all over the world to the holiest places on earth. It also embodies the noble mission of the Two Holy Mosques to spread guidance and enrich the spiritual experience of visitors, while adhering to the principles of moderation and balance.
Historical context and the importance of preparing for Ramadan
The month of Ramadan holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims, and its significance is amplified in the Two Holy Mosques, where millions aspire to perform Umrah, observe Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque), and pray within their sacred precincts. Throughout history, the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. This service has evolved into a comprehensive institutional system that utilizes the latest technologies to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims. The seasonal operational plans, particularly those implemented during Ramadan, are a continuation of this historical legacy of care and attention, aiming to organize and manage the massive crowds and provide religious and guidance services of the highest standard.
Strategic goals to improve the visitor experience
His Excellency the President of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, explained that the plan was meticulously prepared to be comprehensive and systematic, anticipating the needs of the season and reflecting the sanctity of the time and place. He indicated that it is based on seven key strategic objectives, foremost among them being enhancing and enriching the religious experience for pilgrims and disseminating the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah. The plan also aims to solidify the Kingdom's religious standing and its global leadership in serving the Two Holy Mosques, achieve excellence in translation and linguistic services, develop the skills of its human resources, and leverage modern technologies and digital transformation to strengthen communication with Muslims worldwide.
Operational pathways and quality initiatives
To achieve these goals, the Presidency will activate seven strategic programs operating across ten integrated operational tracks. These tracks encompass scientific, outreach, field, and media aspects, as well as a specialized track for translation and languages, another for women's affairs, and a track for digital transformation, technology, and artificial intelligence. The plan includes more than 100 high-quality operational initiatives, along with new and innovative projects such as the "Hidayah Hackathon," the "Hidayah Center," and the "Ijlal Exhibition," and the launch of digital platforms and smart applications, with a significant expansion of translation services to include more than 40 international languages.
Expected impact and contemporary media message
This plan is expected to bring about a qualitative leap in the level of religious services provided. Locally, it will enhance the spiritual atmosphere and facilitate the performance of religious rites for citizens and residents with ease and tranquility. Internationally, it will highlight the Kingdom's efforts in serving Islam and Muslims and convey the message of the Two Holy Mosques to the entire world. In this context, the supervisor of media and communication, Dr. Salem bin Ali Arijah, affirmed that the media strategy of the plan will focus on transforming initiatives into impactful human stories and showcasing religious services in a contemporary and credible media style, keeping pace with the aspirations of local and international media and enhancing awareness of the Two Holy Mosques' message of peace and love.
This integrated system will be implemented by a team of more than 850 qualified personnel, including imams, preachers, teachers and muezzins, supported by accurate performance indicators to measure the impact and ensure the quality of implementation, with the aim of maximizing the spiritual impact on the souls of those visiting the Two Holy Mosques during the blessed month of Ramadan.
