KUALA LUMPUR – The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has announced the launch of a large-scale Operational Plan for the 1443H Haj season, which focuses on 10 key steps under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategic goals.
Its president, Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, described the plan as the largest ever, after two years of being halted due to COVID-19.
“The preparation of the plan has started since the Haj season last year involving various parties and the Haj service sector”, he said in a media briefing on Sunday which was broadcast live from Makkah through the department’s portal.
The department has mobilised 10,000 staff members serve one million pilgrims during the season.
Al-Sudais added that the department has also launched digital services through several smart applications and electronic platforms that have proven to benefit more than 160 million users, including the provision of the sermon texts in 10 languages.
“The department is moving towards the transformation of digitisation in all its services, including the introduction of navigation systems, robots (AI) and Braille electronic al-Quran to facilitate pilgrims”, he said. He further explained that the King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate and the upgraded Bab Al Salam Gate will be opened this year as entrances for pilgrims and visitors, in addition to the 144 other gates available at the Grand Mosque.
On Zamzam water, Al-Sudais said the department will ensure the distribution of 4 million bottles of Zamzam water a day – 3 million in the Grand Mosque and the rest in Masyair.
He also explained that decontamination process is done in every corner of the Grand Mosque and its facilities to maintain a clean environment.
At the same time, facilities for elderly pilgrims and the disabled have been streamlined and enhanced with the provision of 500 technical staff and 2000 electric wheelchairs, which can be booked through the “Tanaqol” application.
