Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition

The Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition is an annual event aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided to pilgrims. It brings together Hajj and Umrah service providers, stakeholders, and officials from within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad to discuss developments and practices in serving the pilgrims, in alignment with the objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

The inaugural edition, titled "Transitioning Towards Innovation", was organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 realization programs. The conference and exhibition commenced on March 21, 2022, at the "Jeddah Superdome".

The conference, which lasted for three days, featured scientific sessions and workshops with the participation of Hajj service providers from both the public and private sectors, as well as innovators across six tracks. These tracks aimed to create a unique experience for the pilgrims and included "Crowd Management, Waste Management, Housing, Catering, Health, and Transportation".

The second edition of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, "Hajj Expo 2023", was inaugurated in Jeddah on January 9, 2023, under the theme "Quality in the Services System". The event attracted over sixty thousand visitors and featured the participation of more than two hundred companies specializing in Hajj and Umrah services, along with several government agencies dedicated to serving pilgrims and Umrah performers.

Over four days, the second edition of the conference featured scientific sessions and discussions, including nine main sessions, four panel discussions, two presentation sessions, and thirty-six workshops. A total of seventy local speakers and eleven international speakers participated, discussing the current state and future of Hajj and Umrah services through three key themes: improvement, competitiveness, and sustainability.

The conference organized two competitions: the "Hajj Challenge" and "Ibtikari". In the "Hajj Challenge", the first place was awarded to the "Story of Makkah" project team, the second place to the "Matai" project team, the third place to the "Ihtiwa" project team, the fourth place to the "Wujid" project team, and the fifth place to the "Lost" project team. In the "Ibtikari" competition, the first place went to Saad Jamil al-Qurashi and Partners, the second place to Nusuk al-Mashaer Company, and the third place to Saleh al-Zafiri Company.

The Saudi Railway Company "SAR" Pavilion at the "Hajj Expo 2023" introduced visitors to its primary mission of serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors by enhancing transportation services. It also aimed to improve the lives of Saudi citizens, visitors, and residents by shortening distances, improving their work performance, and increasing productivity.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's pavilion at "Hajj Expo 2023" showcased its services for pilgrims in twelve languages through interactive technology. The pavilion presented the comprehensive Umrah guide, which includes religious instructions, procedural matters, and health awareness, starting from the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. It also featured the guide to the landmarks of Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, including details on the correct way to wear the Ihram, along with a guide to the rituals at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, as well as the Day of Sacrifice and the guide to the stoning of the Jamarat.

The Ministry of Interior's pavilion introduced visitors to the services it provides for the pilgrims, as well as its initiatives under the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030. The pavilion also showcased the services of various sectors under the ministry's Civil Status Agency, the National Center for Security Operations, the General Directorate of Passports, the General Traffic Department, and the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security. Additionally, it highlighted the applications "Absher", "Midan",and "Banan", as well as the Ministry of Interior Personnel Club in Makkah al-Mukarramah. The contributions of the Vision Realization Office and the security sectors within the Ministry to the Pilgrims Experience Program were also presented, particularly through the Makkah Route Initiative.

The International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization participated in the Hajj and Umrah Exhibition "Hajj Expo 2023" by allowing visitors to explore the life of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him (PBUH), in Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah through virtual reality technologies. Visitors could also discover rare artifacts and items mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah.

The pavilion offered an experience of viewing the Prophet’s Sacred Chamber through virtual reality technology, along with the Prophet Muhammed's (PBUH) pulpit. It provided insights into his etiquette, morals, and teachings through a scientific approach, innovative presentation, and modern technology. The museum utilized contemporary technologies to display the essence of the Islamic religion and its teachings, and to provide knowledge about the Hajj and Umrah system.

The third edition of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition was held from January 8 to 11, 2024, at the Jeddah Superdome. The conference aimed to highlight the projects offered by the Kingdom to the pilgrims and to launch new services and technologies that enhance the experience of the pilgrims, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 programs.

The conference was attended by more than eighty ministers and heads of Hajj missions from various countries around the world, with the participation of twenty-seven government entities and over two hundred service providers from within and outside the Kingdom. The event also witnessed the signing of Hajj agreements with seventy-six countries and the announcement of 220 agreements signed between various government entities, non-profit sector institutions, and companies.

The Pilgrim Experience Program participated in the 2024 Hajj and Umrah Exhibition with a pavilion that showcased the program's role in raising awareness about the impact of Saudi Vision 2030 on the journey of pilgrims and Umrah performers. The pavilion highlighted the contributions of forty government entities in serving the pilgrims. Additionally, it featured a rare piece of al-Kaaba's Kiswah from 1938, gifted by the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.