‘Smart Haram’ Project to Pave Way for Comprehensive Digital Transformation

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah during the opening session of Hajj Expo 2023 (Saudi Ministry of Hajj)
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah during the opening session of Hajj Expo 2023 (Saudi Ministry of Hajj)
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‘Smart Haram’ Project to Pave Way for Comprehensive Digital Transformation

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah during the opening session of Hajj Expo 2023 (Saudi Ministry of Hajj)
The Minister of Hajj and Umrah during the opening session of Hajj Expo 2023 (Saudi Ministry of Hajj)

The opening session of the second edition of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, launched on Tuesday in Jeddah, shed light on the efforts of the Kingdom and its wise leadership in serving pilgrims.

Participants at the session discussed the role of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in developing the Hajj and Umrah sector. The Vision’s goals include striving to achieve the highest levels of quality and excellence in the services provided to pilgrims.

During the opening speech of the conference, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stressed that serving pilgrims from all countries is a top priority, an authentic historical commitment, and a great honor that the Kingdom’s government is proud of so that the pilgrims can perform their rituals with peace and ease within a rich digitized faith journey.

The minister affirmed that the Kingdom seeks serving pilgrims with ease. He said that facilities are provided to pilgrims from the moment they apply for their visa to visit Saudi Arabia.

Al-Rabiah also confirmed that his ministry is working to audit the quality of the services provided and the projects overseen by the state-owned (Kidana) company. This comes to improve services provided in the pilgrimage sites.

For his part, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said the launch of the two identities “Made in Makkah” and “Made in Madinah” will contribute to enriching the religious experience of visitors to Makkah and Madinah, and enhance the entry of national products into global markets.

General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais revealed that there is an ongoing plan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, to launch the “Smart Haram” project.

The project aims to harness technology and expand e-applications and e-platforms to achieve a comprehensive digital transformation for the pilgrims’ experience.

Al Sudais indicated that studies, research, plans, and meetings are ongoing to draw up a future plan for the “Smart Haram” project.



No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
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No Damage as Quake Strikes Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region 

No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)
No damage was reported from the earthquake. (SPA)

An earthquake struck Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region on Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) Tariq Aba Al-Khail said no damage casualties were reported in the 4.0-magnitude quake.

The earthquake resulted from tectonic stresses from the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian geological plates in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, which activated existing faults in the Earth's crust in Eastern Region of the Kingdom, he said.


Saudi FM Meets with Key Figures from Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies to Discuss Cooperation 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with the officials in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with the officials in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Meets with Key Figures from Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies to Discuss Cooperation 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with the officials in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meets with the officials in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh with Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, along with members of the Oxford Centre’s board of trustees.

During the meeting, they reviewed areas of cooperation in intellectual and cultural initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting tolerance, coexistence, and mutual understanding, and supporting efforts to advance moderation and centrism, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.


Saudi, Malaysian FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (EPA file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (EPA file)
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Saudi, Malaysian FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (EPA file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (EPA file)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Tuesday with his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Haji Hasan.

They discussed bilateral relations between their countries, the latest developments, and issues of common interest.