In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to utilizing the latest technologies to serve pilgrims, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has activated a toll-free telephone service to answer religious inquiries from Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors. This initiative, overseen by the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, Umrah and Visitation, is part of the second phase of awareness campaigns for the current Umrah season (1447 AH) and aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enrich and facilitate the religious experience.
A historical development in serving those who ask
Providing guidance to pilgrims and answering their religious questions is an integral part of the Kingdom's historical role in serving the Two Holy Mosques. For decades, inquiries were answered directly by scholars and preachers present in the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites. With the increasing number of pilgrims and the diversity of their cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the need arose to develop more comprehensive and effective communication mechanisms. The free telephone service represents a qualitative leap in this area, transforming religious guidance from a limited physical space to an open digital platform that reaches every pilgrim easily and conveniently.
Service operation mechanism and multilingual capabilities
The service is available via the toll-free number (8002451000) and operates 24/7. It features a dual-system approach, including an advanced automated response system that answers frequently asked questions in ten major international languages: Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Indonesian, Filipino, Hausa, Bengali, and Hindi. This linguistic diversity breaks down the language barrier for millions of non-Arabic-speaking Muslims, ensuring they receive accurate religious information. In addition, the service offers direct access to a select group of qualified Ministry scholars who can answer specific and in-depth questions, particularly during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj.
Importance and expected impact
The importance of this service lies in its effectiveness as a tool to ensure that pilgrims perform their rituals correctly, in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. Locally, it contributes to regulating the issuance of religious rulings (fatwas) and unifying their source, thus preventing the spread of unreliable fatwas and protecting pilgrims from misinformation. Internationally, this initiative reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading religious authority in the Islamic world and highlights its efforts in providing comprehensive and advanced services to visitors of the holy sites. It also solidifies the image of Islam as a tolerant and moderate religion, emphasizing that worship and transactions are based on knowledge and understanding, in line with the directives of the wise leadership, which spares no effort in ensuring the comfort and well-being of pilgrims.
