At the beginning of the seventh century, the Prophet Mohammed took more than a thousand friends on his first Hajj, a three-day holy journey to the city of Makkah, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim.
The number of travelers making the trip has increased dramatically since then, and has grown almost every year. Today, Hajj regularly attracts about two million people every year. It is the largest annual gathering in the world.
To oversee the oversight function are the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which has the difficult task of maintaining the Hajj character while protecting the crowds.
The majority of attendees experience only the spiritual exaltation of the event. But it is also a tradition that needs to be loved and with a large population in a small area, where, sadly, the accident has already happened. Self-defense remains at the forefront of the Saudi authorities, which is facing a crisis by remaining vigilant and flexible.
Saudi security forces parade in Makkah on July 3 as pilgrims from around the world began gathering in the holy city of Hajj. AFP
In 2022, the pilgrims will see exciting new examples of how Saudi Arabia is using modern methods to support and maintain security. At Madinah’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, sick visitors will be provided with state-of-the-art technology that allows doctors in Riyadh, more than 700 miles [700 km] away, to be illuminated with a hologram. With the patient standing in front of the machine, a health professional can diagnose vital signs and prescribe medication. Health officials are also providing regular medical assistance through 937 toll free and app, Sehhaty. During the trip, two thousand electric vehicles will be on hand to assist the disabled and elderly at the Grand Mosque. Electric umbrellas will be working to protect people from the sun and robots that produce water bottles.
This year, the prospect of solid health measures is more than just caring for the people. It is also about celebrating the fact that pilgrimage on a large scale has returned after proper control during the Covid-19.
Modern trends are not just about protecting people. Technology is also alleviating the ever-increasing burden of gifts placed on each of the travelers, as well as addressing the inevitable short-term and, in some cases, offenders. Last week, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry announced a set of other airlines and public buildings facing technical difficulties on the royal electronic registration platform. On Thursday, Saudi authorities arrested 15 people after false services were offered by people trying to make a profit from illegal activities. The country is increasingly using online platforms to prevent criminals from using social media to swindle travelers, as well as to ensure that visitors get paid services.
Technology is already overcoming the language barriers. Another online service, the Arafat Message app, will provide live translation in ten languages. Last year’s translation robots, which provided services in 11 languages, are also in operation.
Hajj is a ritual, and the ineffectiveness of the Islamic word. But to understand this, a larger world plan is needed. As Saudi Arabia prepares for the most important voyage in recent years, it has ample opportunity to not only mark the momentous moment in Hajj history, but also the evolving country, whose development is making this global transformation possible.
Published: July 05, 2022, 3:00 AM
