The second edition of Expo Hajj has opened aiming to create an integrated, sustainable ecosystem that enhances the experience of pilgrims and Umrah performers by leveraging the ideas and visions of experts. 

 

The expo anticipates future directions, opens doors of opportunities for partnerships, agreements, and local and global initiatives to improve their experience, and engages entrepreneurs and innovators to raise the standard of services provided during Hajj.

    

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region has, together with Prince Dr Faisal Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of Madinah Region, inaugurated the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition. 

 

High-level participation

The event is being held in Jeddah with the participation of over 81 speakers from the public and private sectors inside and outside the kingdom as well as high-level delegations including senior figures, Islamic affairs ministers, heads of Hajj missions and higher commissions from over 57 states.

 

A number of agreements and memorandums of understanding will be signed with entities such as:  The Public Endowments Authority, the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, the King Salman Complex for the Arabic Language, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation, and the Banking Information and Awareness Committee of Saudi Banks to provide a number of services and exchange experiences. 

 

More than 57 agreements for Hajj services have also been inked with all Islamic countries, covering the numbers of pilgrims, the plan for the ports of entry, and health and procedural requirements.

In addition to 36 workshops, 13 debate sessions, 10 main sessions, and a variety of additional events and activities, the "Expo Hajj" will feature experts and specialists who will explore ways to design a roadmap to improve and enrich the Hajj journey. These events and activities will include The Islamic Exhibition, the "Hajj and Umrah Challenge" zone, the start-up companies’ area, during the period from 16-19 Jumada Al-Akhira 1444 H corresponding to January 9 to 12, 2023. 

 

In his speech, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, welcomed princes, ministers, experts, specialists, and those interested in Hajj and Umrah affairs. 

 

Top priority

The Minister emphasised that serving pilgrims and Umrah performers who are visiting from all over the world is a top priority, a sincere historical commitment, and a great honor of which the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is proud.  The government, he noted, is keen to ensure that everyone performs the religious rituals in peace and comfort and engage in an enriching digitised faith journey.  

Al-Rabiah underscored the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's eagerness to improve all services and solutions available to pilgrims and Umrah performers, adding that all laws and legislation in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem have been developed.

 

He pointed out that the gathering of authorities overseeing the affairs of pilgrims and Umrah performers in Islamic world nations, and the early signing of Hajj agreements are evidence of the Ministry's eagerness and ongoing efforts to provide pilgrims and Umrah performers with top-notch services in partnership with concerned authorities from 70 countries.

 

Following the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, both Governor of Makkah and the Governor of Madinah toured the different areas of the Expo Hajj, accompanied by the Minister of Hajj and Umrahand the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng Salih Aljasser, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Bandar Alkhorayef, Deputy Interior Minister Dr Hesham Al-Falih, the President of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs Dr Abdulrahman Alsudais, and the CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah and Holy Sites Eng Saleh Al-Rasheed.-- TradeArabia News Service