Monday, 22 February 2016

Future plans for Hajj include wearables, videos on mobile phones

Starting from the following Hajj season, the Ministry of Haj of KSA plans to issue pilgrims with electronic bracelets that contain information such as their Hajj delegation, health status, and local residence details. The data can be accessed at any time. 

The information was shared during an interview between the Okaz publication and KSA Haj Minister Dr Bandar Hajjar, available on the Ministry of Haj website. Dr Bandar further disclosed that the following season will also see the Ministry debut electronic applications for Haj services. 

In addition, the Ministry of Haj will, starting from the next season, broadcast awareness videos on the pilgrims' mobile phones. Such videos will include those promoting awareness about the rituals, essential security procedures, and safety messages, Dr Bandar said. 

The Ministry is currently studying the possibility of establishing a new organisational entity that includes all umrah companies (48 currently); in order to represent them before the Ministry and other competent authorities. 

"We have discussed establishing the proposed entity with some of these companies' owners, and they highly welcomed the proposal," he said.