Hajj operation digitalised to help pilgrims
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, while keeping in mind the importance of modern technology, has digitized the Hajj operation to help pilgrims through security and crowd management systems.
The ministry made the “smartphone” mandatory for pilgrims in order to improve the performance of Hajj rituals and maintain their health through quality services and urged the pilgrims to download the mobile apps from «Tawakkalna» and «Eatmarna» in their latest hand-held gadgets because these two app services were approved to help make it easier for pilgrims to get Umrah, Hajj, and permission to visit holy mosques in Makkah and Madina.
Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Additional Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani said the intending pilgrims were being imparted technology-based training sessions at Haji Camps across the country.
He said it was the need of the hour for pilgrims to learn the use of the following applications before proceeding to the holy land of Saudi Arabia for performing the sacred obligation. otherwise, they may face many complications in navigating smoothly the rituals of the Hajj.
Ministry spokesman Muhammad Umar Butt said the ministry has started up-to-date electronic monitoring a system to quickly remedy the complaints of pilgrims and to take care of the Hajj operation in order to improve the quality of services.
The integrated mechanism has been launched in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board to facilitate the management of Hajj for the government as well as for pilgrims, he added.
He stated that the system had an integrated mechanism for transferring unresolved complaints to the senior management level for appropriate action. A “day-to-day situation report” would be produced for senior management information, he said.
It is worth mentioning here that, according to the Saudi government, the Hajj is open to those who have been given approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Pilgrims are expected to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of leaving for Saudi Arabia. People over the age of 65 were unable to complete the Hajj this year.