Madinah Hosts First Edition Of Umrah And Ziyarah Forum To Elevate Pilgrim Experience

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, has inaugurated the first Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, which is taking place from April 22 to 24 at the King Salman International Convention Center. This significant event is under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Madinah Region. Prince Salman emphasized the dedication of Saudi Arabia's leadership to enhancing Hajj and Umrah services during this prosperous era led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Prince Salman articulated the honor of hosting such sacred obligations, which propels the nation to elevate service levels for pilgrims. He highlighted the forum as a pivotal platform for experts to share insights and develop strategies that enhance the pilgrim experience. The Governor also expressed his gratitude towards Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and his team for their efforts in organizing this event.

The forum features an exhibition with over 100 pavilions from various sectors including tourism, travel, academia, technology, healthcare, and more, showcasing services aimed at enriching the pilgrimage journey. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah addressed the forum, underscoring the leadership's focus on the welfare of visitors to the two holy mosques and aligning with Vision 2030's objectives to improve pilgrim experience significantly.

Al-Rabiah revealed that in recent years, over 19 million people visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharifa and numerous historical sites associated with Prophet Muhammad have been revitalized. The forum also presented a documentary on Madinah, adding a cultural layer to the Umrah experience. Additionally, Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili spoke on how historical and cultural sites contribute to enriching visitors' experiences.

The event concluded its opening ceremony with several agreements related to Umrah and visits to the Kingdom being signed. The forum comprises six dialogue sessions and 24 workshops featuring 29 experts from around the globe. It also includes competitions focused on artificial intelligence in Umrah services and a hackathon exploring historical sites connected to Prophet Muhammad's life.

With inputs from SPA