In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing services for pilgrims, the Hajj Media Forum, held at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Exhibition and Events Center, welcomed over 2,000 international representatives and media professionals. Visitors toured the forum's various sections, exploring opportunities to strengthen international cooperation and showcase the latest developments in digital transformation and innovative technological services designed to facilitate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
General context and historical development of Hajj services
Historically, since its founding, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. With the number of pilgrims increasing annually to millions, the urgent need arose to move from traditional management and organizational methods to adopting the latest global technologies. This forum culminates years of dedicated work in the digital transformation journey, which has accelerated significantly with the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This ambitious vision has placed among its most important pillars the enhancement of the pilgrims' experience and the facilitation of procedures from the moment they consider performing the pilgrimage until their safe return home.
Broad international participation and governmental integration
The forum witnessed a remarkable international presence, with delegations including representatives from several countries, most notably Jordan, Pakistan, Syria, Kenya, Libya, Egypt, and India, in addition to the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Jeddah. During their tours, visitors were briefed on the integrated services offered by the participating entities at the Transformation Exhibition.
The entities showcasing their initiatives included the Ministry of Media, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Hadiya Association. This integration reflects the high level of field coordination among various government sectors to ensure the success of the Hajj season.
Key technologies: Nusk platform and virtual reality
The exhibition showcased a number of innovative technological solutions that have revolutionized service delivery. Among the most prominent was the Nusuk platform, a leading example of digitally streamlining Hajj and Umrah procedures, enabling pilgrims to easily obtain visas and book services. Additionally, the exhibition highlighted the experience of visiting historical sites using virtual reality (VR) technology, enriching the cultural and religious experience for visitors and pilgrims.
The importance of the event and its local and international impact
holds The Hajj Media Forum immense strategic importance. Locally, it contributes to highlighting the efforts of national personnel and the development of digital infrastructure in Makkah and the Holy Sites. Regionally and internationally, the forum plays a vital role in conveying the true picture of the Kingdom's efforts to the world through international media outlets. Furthermore, exchanging expertise with foreign delegations ensures improved communication channels with pilgrims in their home countries, informing them of procedures in their respective languages before their arrival.
International praise for the development of the Hajj system
At the conclusion of their tours, the international delegations praised the high level of digital development and field coordination demonstrated by the Saudi government agencies, appreciating the efforts made in employing technology to serve the pilgrims and facilitate their performance of the rituals with ease and peace of mind.
It is worth noting that the Hajj Media Forum is organized by the Unified Media Operations Center for Hajj at the Ministry of Media, in cooperation with the Grand Hajj Symposium. It serves as a specialized platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing the latest innovations that support the development of Hajj services, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to enhance the experience of pilgrims.
