‘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.



Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
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Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan Hold Third Round of Political Consultations

A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)
A night view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Reuters file)

The ministries of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan held the third round of political consultations at the Saudi ministry headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji and Tajik Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Farrukh Sharifzoda headed their respective sides during the meeting.

Discussions focused on boosting bilateral relations between the two countries across various sectors, as well as intensifying bilateral and multilateral coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The consultation round was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan Waleed Abdulrahman Alreshaidan, Tajik Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Akram Karimi, and Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Countries Director Nasser Al-Ghanoum.