Apps Pave Way for ‘Smart Hajj’

Pilgrims arrive in Makkah for this year's annual rituals. (SPA)
Pilgrims arrive in Makkah for this year's annual rituals. (SPA)
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Apps Pave Way for ‘Smart Hajj’

Pilgrims arrive in Makkah for this year's annual rituals. (SPA)
Pilgrims arrive in Makkah for this year's annual rituals. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has developed a project that aims to invest advanced technologies in serving this year’s Hajj pilgrims through the Hajj and Umrah Program and Smart Hajj initiative

The holy city of Makkah hosted the Smart Hajj seminar that focused on the use of advanced technology in the Hajj. Sponsored by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef on Sunday, the event highlighted the various technological services offered by ministries and government and civil agencies for this year’s holy rituals.

The Hajj will kick off on August 9.

Apps have been developed to help facilitate the services provided to the pilgrims.

Governor of the Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal had inaugurated last week 5G services in Makkah and the holy sites.

The Smart Hajj initiative was launched last year and its second phase was inaugurated in 2019.

Smart technologies include connecting ambulance services to health centers, the introduction of virtual reality experiences and the use of holograms in raising awareness.

Other apps include allowing pilgrims to report health emergencies, as well as another app that offers health instructions. A security app allows them to report security cases and others help explain Hajj rituals.



MWL Condemns Knesset’s Motion to Impose Sovereignty' over West Bank

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Knesset’s Motion to Impose Sovereignty' over West Bank

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) has strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval of a declaration calling for the imposition of "Israeli sovereignty" over the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.

MWL said the move reflects Israel's continued provocations against the Arab and Islamic nations and all peace-and justice-loving peoples around the world. The MWL denounced Israel's ongoing disregard for international laws and norms, and its deliberate undermining of all efforts aimed at stopping war and achieving peace.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa denounced the Israeli government's persistent policy of undermining the lives, dignity, and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He stressed that Israel continues to violate all international and humanitarian laws and values in the Palestinian territories, describing the extremist government's criminal behavior as a major obstacle to a just and comprehensive peace and the stability sought by all in the region.

Al-Issa reiterated the justice and centrality of the Palestinian cause in the Arab and Islamic consciousness, as well as in the conscience of every fair-minded person. He stressed the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people that no de facto situation can strip away.

He also called on the international community to take a sincere and serious stand and to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities to end the ongoing humanitarian tragedy facing the Palestinian people. The secretary-general urged support for the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international legitimacy resolutions.