In a move aimed at enhancing services provided to pilgrims, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, Umrah and Visitation, announced the activation of a toll-free telephone service to answer religious inquiries related to Hajj and Umrah rituals. This advanced service is part of the second phase of Islamic awareness activities for the current Umrah season (1447 AH) and allows pilgrims and visitors to communicate directly with a select group of qualified preachers and scholars who can answer their questions in ten different international languages.
Historical background and development context
Providing guidance to pilgrims and answering their religious inquiries is a long-standing tradition in the history of the Two Holy Mosques. Throughout the ages, scholars and sheikhs have held scholarly gatherings within the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina to offer religious rulings and guidance to pilgrims. With the increasing number of pilgrims from around the world and the diversity of their languages and cultures, the need arose to develop this service to be more comprehensive and accessible. This initiative represents a natural evolution of this rich heritage, harnessing modern technology to overcome geographical and linguistic barriers and provide reliable religious information to the largest possible number of beneficiaries, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on digital transformation and enriching the religious experience of pilgrims.
Service details and how it works
Beneficiaries can access the service via the toll-free number (8002451000), which operates 24/7. The service comprises two main phases. The first is a pre-recorded automated response system that provides answers to the most frequently asked questions in ten international languages, including Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Indonesian, Filipino, Hausa, Bengali, and Hindi. The second phase allows callers to speak directly with a specialized ministry representative, particularly during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj, to ensure accurate and detailed answers for specific cases and complex inquiries.
Importance and expected impact
This service is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it reflects the wise leadership's commitment to harnessing all available resources to serve pilgrims and facilitate their performance of rituals with ease and tranquility. Regionally and internationally, the initiative presents a pioneering model for utilizing technology to serve Islamic causes and provides a reliable source of moderate Islamic legal rulings (fatwas), thus contributing to combating extremist ideologies and misinformation that may spread through other means. This service is expected to have a significant positive impact on raising religious awareness among pilgrims and visitors, ensuring they perform their rituals correctly according to the Quran and Sunnah, thereby enhancing the spirituality of their journey and highlighting the tolerance and ease of Islam.
