Hajj Technological Hackathon or Hajjathon 2022 is scheduled to start on March 8th. The competition is a unique initiative to create technical, creative solutions that will lead to improvement in the quality of Hajj and Umrah services and the overall pilgrimage experience.
The sacred rituals of Hajj and Umrah are performed by citizens, residents, and visitors in the holy city of Makkah. Millions of Muslims go to Makkah each year for the Hajj, a five-day pilgrimage in which Muslims from all over the world follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Objective of Hajjathon 2022
Saudi Arabia has made significant attempts and advancements to accommodate pilgrims’ demands and is in the process of constant improvement. Serving pilgrims, facilitating their execution of rites, and improving the efficiency of services offered to them are all priorities for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a result, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research launched the Hajjathon in 2022. It is an initiative to develop technical and creative solutions, improve the quality of services, enrich pilgrims’ experiences, and stimulate the Hajj and Umrah’s infrastructure.
Umm Al-Qura University had arranged a workshop in collaboration with the College of Computer and Information Systems, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research. It intended to examine projects that support efforts to improve the services provided to pilgrims and visitors. Additionally, it examined the scope of digital solutions for the issues of the Hajj and Umrah systems.
Digital transformation in the Hajj, Umrah
The 3-day workshop was held at the King Salman International Convention Centre and was themed ‘Digital Transformation in the Hajj, Umrah, and Visit System’. The workshop included pupils from the College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, the College of Medicine, the College of Applied Medical Sciences, and the College of Public Health and Health Informatics. Besides, the inauguration of the 3-day workshop was attended by academic researchers interested in Hajj-Umrah visit studies, experts in digital transformation, representatives from the public and private sectors, financial and educational institutions, and youth leaders.
Hajjathon 2022 held with the 21st Scientific Forum for Hajj was a technical competition, and the registration for the first edition started in the last week of February ’22. Hajjathon 2022 brought together software and business developers and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop top-notch technical solutions to improve Hajj and Umrah services. It was a global opportunity for young people to demonstrate their ability to create innovative ways to expand pilgrim services. It also tapped into local and international data and artificial intelligence skills.
“The workshop aims at developing research ideas and initiatives that suit the themes of the 21st Scientific Forum for Research on Hajj, Umrah and Visits, which will be held this year under the title: “Digital Transformation in the Hajj, Umrah and Visit System.”– Dr. Turki Al-Amr, the head of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation Research.
With the new challenges imposed by COVID-19, apps like Tawakkalna have greatly enhanced the experience of Umrah and Hajj. To promote more such apps the government organised Hajjathon in Feb 2022. Numerous renowned entrepreneurs and business owners took part in the convention along with research leaders.
