The KSA Ministry of Haj and Umra's e-portal has exceeded 1 million visits, and the same is expected of its e-portal for domestic pilgrims. In the first 72 hours of operation nearly 100,000 citizens and residents of both sexes have registered at
the domestic Haj pilgrims e-portal for the Hajj 2016 (1437) season, the ministry said.
This year, the Hajj pilgrims' e-portal enables citizens and residents to select the service provider, the programme, and the price as they wish. The ministry has also provided additional capabilities such as the Sadad payment system and the Yaqeen data verification service. Cancellations are accepted this year through the portal, along with refunds.
The Ministry of Haj and Umra provides services spanning the entire Hajj as follows:
1. At the towers in Mina on the foothills, and inside its shari'ah area
2. The first service segment at the camps;
3. The first service segment at the camps, along with accommodation in Makkah;
4. The second service segment at the camps;
5. The second service segment at the camps, along with accommodation in Makkah;
6. The third service segment at the camps; and
7. The third service segment at the camps, along with accommodation in Makkah.
The implementation of the Hajj pilgrims' e-bracelet scheme begins this year. Part of the electronic transformation programme launched by HE the Minister of Haj and Umra, Dr Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentin, the e-bracelets are designed to identify Haj pilgrims quickly and to provide context when providing help. Available information on Hajj pilgrims will be accessible through all
smartphones and tablets via an app available to all Ministry of Haj and
Umra employees serving pilgrims and visitors, as well as to the
employees of other service and security sectors.
Pilgrims Affairs Offices in the different countries from which Hajj pilgrims originate are to provide pilgrims' data before their arrival in KSA. The e-bracelet will include the following data: border number; visa Number; Passport number; plus access to the Hajj pilgrims' data in the ministry's database. Such data includes the pilgrim's photograph, the data of the entrusted with their service; the data of the residence in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites; and the phone numbers of the concerned with Haj service.
The initiative will help to improve performance in the Hajj and umrah
sector, reduce time taken on procedures, increase transparency, and make
more information available to all the involved agencies.