‘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.



UAE Interior Ministry: Extensive Search Underway for Missing Moldovan Man

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
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UAE Interior Ministry: Extensive Search Underway for Missing Moldovan Man

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah/File Photo

The UAE Ministry of Interior said on Saturday that it "received a report from the family of a Moldovan national named Zvi Kogan, stating that he had been missing and out of contact since last Thursday”.
The ministry confirmed that "relevant authorities began extensive search and investigation operations immediately upon receiving the report”, the UAE’s official news agency WAM reported Sunday.
The ministry also urged the public to obtain accurate information from official sources and not get misled by “malicious” rumors.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is "closely following the case of the missing Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan, maintaining communication with his family, and providing all necessary support”, it added..
Majed Al Mansouri, Director of the Foreign Nationals Affairs Department at the ministry, affirmed that the Ministry is closely monitoring the case and is in close contact with his family to provide them with all means of necessary support.
He also highlighted that the Ministry is in continuous contact with the Embassy of Moldova in Abu Dhabi in this regard.