Hajj Ministry Announces More Details of its Innovation Competition

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)
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Hajj Ministry Announces More Details of its Innovation Competition

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the launch of the challenge phases of its competition that is aimed at introducing innovative solutions to improving the pilgrimage experience.

The competition was announced through the Open Innovation Platform.

The top three finalists of the competition will receive prize money of up to 50,000 riyals.

The ministry has opened the competition to anyone who believes they have innovative and pioneering ideas that can improve the experience of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Participants have until May 23 to submit their ideas.

The ministry had held a virtual training seminar on the impact and importance of open innovation.

The platform aims to create the largest innovation community in the Kingdom in cooperation was various sectors.

It will help facilitate communication with the sectors and propose solutions to problems with the aim of improving society and the national economy as a whole.

Participants in the competition will be able to develop their research skills and overcome challenges through several innovative paths.

The competition will also hold consultative and training sessions and provide the opportunity to develop pioneering projects and receive support from participating parties.

The Hajj challenge is divided into three paths: The main services path that focuses on the challenges encountered by pilgrims, the enrichment path that focuses on services that enrich their experience, and the virtual experience path that covers the digital platforms available to the pilgrims.



Albudaiwi: GCC Stance on Russia-Ukraine Crisis is Based on International Law, UN Charter

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi - File Photo
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi - File Photo
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Albudaiwi: GCC Stance on Russia-Ukraine Crisis is Based on International Law, UN Charter

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi - File Photo
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi - File Photo

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the council's position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis is based on international law and the United Nations Charter, which emphasizes the need to maintain an international order based on respect for the sovereignty of states, the integrity of their territories, and their political independence, as well as non-interference in their internal affairs and the prohibition of the use or threat of force, SPA reported.
According to a press release from the GCC's Secretariat General, Albudaiwi made this statement at his meeting on Monday with Ambassador of Ukraine to Saudi Arabia Anatolii Petrenko.
Albudaiwi also said that the GCC states are exerting mediation efforts and support all regional and global initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, achieve a ceasefire, and find a political solution through dialogue and negotiations.
The meeting also discussed ways to boost Gulf-Ukrainian relations, and regional and international issues.