E-bracelets compulsory for Hajj this year

KSA has approved the use of water-resistant e-bracelets with barcodes for all Hajj pilgrims this year, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) has reported, citing the Ministry of Haj and Islamic Affairs (Ministry of Haj and Umra).

KUNA reports that the e-bracelet will acts as a means of pilgrim identification and contain their details and where they stay, which is particularly helpful for  pilgrims who are not Arabic speakers if they are lost. According to the Ministry of Haj and Umra, the bracelets will also include the pilgrim's photo, data on pilgrims' licensed service providers, accommodation details for Makkah, Madinah or other sacred sites, and telephone numbers of those helping them. The ministry has asked Hajj affairs offices worldwide to provide the required data before the pilgrims arrive in KSA, including where the pilgrim entered the country, visa number, and passport number.

HE Minister of Haj and Umra Dr Muhammad Saleh Benten has shared that the e-bracelet is part of the digital transformation drive at the Ministry of Haj and Umra and will help the ministry to improve the efficiency of both Hajj and umrah, enhance information transparency and allow information to be shared across stakeholders involved in providing Hajj and umrah services.

The initiative includes a database of all information which can be accessed by smartphone or iPad by ministry employees, security and other services.

Interested?

The e-bracelets were mentioned when Malaysian senior religious representatives visited the Ministry of Haj and Umra in KSA (then called the Ministry of Haj) in January 2016. Read the associated Suroor Asia blog post

KSA has created mobile apps for Hajj and umrah services for both iOS and Android. Download