Hajj Season: How Technology And Translation Foster Unity Among Diverse Pilgrims

Over 1.5 million pilgrims are participating in the Hajj rituals, showcasing unity despite diverse languages and cultures. This shared spiritual journey is facilitated by technology and dedicated human efforts, which help overcome language barriers. Smart devices equipped with instant translation apps are strategically placed, allowing pilgrims to understand instructions in various languages swiftly.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has implemented specialized translation teams as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. These teams offer religious guidance in more than 10 languages such as English, French, Thai, Serbian, Urdu, Dutch, Filipino, Amharic, Indonesian, German, and Turkish. This service caters to pilgrims from over 100 countries.

To further assist pilgrims, the ministry has introduced a free telephone inquiry service designed to manage up to half a million calls. Additionally, they have broadcasted over four million awareness messages through 340 electronic screens and sent 100 million SMS messages to pilgrims' phones. This demonstrates their effective use of technology to enhance services.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has collaborated with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque to translate the Arafah sermon into 35 languages. This initiative aims to enrich religious experiences for over five million beneficiaries while promoting moderation globally.

This integration of technology with human effort exemplifies an advanced model in global crowd management. It highlights Saudi Arabia's dedication to its religious and humanitarian mission by ensuring that the Hajj experience is accessible and inclusive for everyone involved.

As millions perform their rituals together, technology acts as a facilitator while translation bridges understanding. The Hajj becomes a truly universal spiritual experience through this convergence of efforts.

With inputs from SPA