MAKKAH: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research continues to provide academic studies in the transportation system and smart applications fields, essential for pilgrims during the Hajj.
“The Institute constitutes a beacon of knowledge and a main tributary in Hajj studies, as it always seeks to find accurate studies to improve and accelerate the pace of service delivery in the Hajj system,” said the dean of the institute, Dr. Adnan Al-Shahrani, in an interview with Arab News.
According to Al-Shahrani, members of the institute, located at Umm Al-Qura University, have contributed to keeping abreast of developments in various fields including engineering, urban, environmental, health, and media, in addition to the humanitarian, administrative, informatics, and technology fields, and many others related to facilitating pilgrims’ Hajj and Umrah rituals.
“Research projects related to transportation in Makkah, Madinah, and holy sites, are among the institute’s top priorities handled in the Urban and Engineering Research Department. There are specialized professors continuously working on evaluating and developing the current situation through exchanging thoughts, studies, and programs designed to develop the transportation system and delivering it to the relevant authorities,” said Al-Shahrani.
These projects include the shuffle transportation project in the holy sites, in addition to Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro Line, which serves all categories of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Dr. Khalid Osra, a professor of transportation and traffic engineering at the institute, has been studying the challenges of transportation during the Hajj since 1995, when the first phase of the shuttle-bus transportation system was implemented between the holy sites. The benefits came from separating pedestrian movement from vehicles without interference, which improves traffic safety and reduces the transit times.
“The time required for transit, which used to take hours, was reduced to only 20 minutes,” Osra said.
“One of the most important advantages of this system is reducing the number of buses used in the fleet by reusing each bus on multiple different trips. Therefore, the bus is not dedicated to transporting a specific group of pilgrims, but rather it transports the largest possible number of pilgrims between the holy sites by reusing the same bus. This results in saving at least 25 percent of the operational fleet,” he said.
Osra highlighted that this caused the congestion level on roads to decrease, reduced noise levels and emissions from fuel, and improved air quality.
“The institute evaluates the transportation plan annually by measuring the transit times between the holy sites, as well as passenger loading times at loading stations and providing recommendations to enhance the positives and address any challenges,” he added.
The institute conducted another evaluation of an existing plan through its studies in 2011. This plan aimed to unify the direction of traffic movement from Mina to the Grand Mosque in Makkah on some roads on 12 Dhu Al-Hijjah, as approximately 70 percent of pilgrims leave Mina on this day every year.
“The direction of some roads was changed from Mina toward the Holy Mosque in Makkah because the traffic density on these roads in the opposite direction (entering Makkah) is low. Several years prior, the institute recommended prohibiting the entry of low-capacity vehicles into the holy sites. The institute also implemented an annual program to count the number of vehicles of various types on the roads connecting the holy sites. During Ramadan, the institute played a collaborative role by keeping the cars of pilgrims in parking lots outside the central area and using buses to enter the central area, thereby reducing traffic congestion caused by the high number of small vehicles in the holy capital,” he said.
Al-Shahrani stated the institute accords great importance to using computerized and digital technologies to develop the Hajj system, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 as one of the main digital transformation and artificial intelligence enablers.
“The institute’s research studies rely on digitization and artificial intelligence in transportation, subsistence, health, and future predictions of risks and disease outbreaks fields, as our researchers use these technologies to monitor the pilgrim’s health condition, for instance, improve the crowd movement management, and monitor and evaluate the quality of catering services in cooperation with government entities and charitable organizations,” he said.
Al-Shahrani mentioned the institute has carried out several studies requiring the use of AI, including a study concerned with analyzing the pilgrims’ feelings.
He highlighted that results from recent research was presented during the 22nd Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research, including on smart applications, such as crowd simulation apps, and the simulation of pilgrims going to Muzdalifah.
Institute of Hajj and Umrah Research lists Makkah transportation challenges among its top priorities
https://arab.news/b66x9
Institute of Hajj and Umrah Research lists Makkah transportation challenges among its top priorities
- “The Institute constitutes a beacon of knowledge and a main tributary in Hajj studies,” said the dean of the institute, Dr. Adnan Al-Shahrani
- According to Al-Shahrani, members of the institute, located at Umm Al-Qura University, have contributed to keeping abreast of developments in various fields
Date announced for Modon Excellence Award winners reveal
- The initiative reflects Modon’s ambitions of cultivating a world-class industrial environment
RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, known as Modon, has announced the winners of the Modon Excellence Award will be revealed on Dec. 22.
The initiative, under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, reflects Modon’s ambitions of cultivating a world-class industrial environment, embracing best practices in digital transformation, research and innovation, and promoting business sustainability.
It also aims to empower women in the workplace and enhance the leadership role of factories by adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and developing innovative products.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Human Capacity Development Faris Al-Saqabi said the Modon Excellence Award was designed to inspire positive competition among factories and individuals in the industrial sector.
He added innovation and collaboration were pivotal in driving societal progress and cultivating a sustainable, thriving industrial environment. The award highlights groundbreaking initiatives that reflect creativity and dedication while promoting innovation and raising industrial standards.
Mamdooh Al-Drees, Modon’s deputy CEO, said the award was launched to promote healthy competition within the industrial sector and encourage excellence among participants. He added it also sought to foster an environment that nurtured creativity and innovation, ultimately improving operational efficiency and boosting production.
Ultimately, it seeks to enhance the ecosystem of industrial cities and technology zones by promoting sustainable environmental practices in production, advancing adoption of cutting-edge industrial technologies, and encouraging improvements in product and service quality. It also aims to drive the integration of automation across diverse operations and processes.
The first edition of the award, launched under the theme “Makers of Excellence,” features three main categories: Individuals, with subcategories for Leadership Excellence and Promising Woman; Small Enterprises; and Medium and Large Industrial Enterprises.
These recognize excellence in several key areas including environmental sustainability, innovation and leadership in industry, digital transformation, social responsibility, and human capacity development.
Sri Lanka to build on, maintain relations with Saudi Arabia: envoy
- Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations
- Commemoration of anniversary will serve as a catalyst to further consolidate bilateral relations
- Two countries to issue a postage stamp, unveil a logo besides other cultural activities
RIYADH: Sri Lankan Ambassador in Riyadh Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad expressed his desire to elevate bilateral relations to new heights as Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Ajwad said: “Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.”
He added: “Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia have a very long background of ties. According to the history books, it started in the seventh century … when Sri Lankan King Aggrabodhi III dispatched a delegation on a fact-finding mission to Saudi Arabia, on the request of the Arab people who were living in Sri Lanka at that time. The king sent an envoy to Madinah to learn about Islam from Prophet Muhammad.”
This ancient trade and people-to-people relationship between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka flourished over time. The two established formal diplomatic relations in 1974. The first Saudi ambassador to Sri Lanka was appointed in August 1977. The Sri Lanka mission was established in Jeddah in 1983. The Embassy of Sri Lanka was established in Jeddah with M.R.M Thassim as the first accredited ambassador, and shifted to Riyadh in 1985.
“We are celebrating this historic moment. It’s a milestone in our bilateral relations. We have decided on a logo to be unveiled soon to mark this occasion, both countries have agreed on that. We will soon launch it both in Saudi Arabia as well as Colombo. The logo will demonstrate the close bilateral relations,” said the ambassador.
“We will issue a postal stamp to mark the occasion. Both countries are now working on that to release a stamp to demonstrate the depth of relations,” Ajwad told Arab News.
“We also took some initiatives to mark the golden jubilee occasion such as the green initiative with the tree planting campaign in Riyadh in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Riyadh municipality — we have already planted trees in four parks with our community. It is aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative that aims to plant 10 billion trees,” he said.
“(We) also initiated planting campaign in the Sri Lankan Schools in Riyadh and Jeddah to mark the 50th anniversary,” he added.
“We initiated an Ambassadors Cup cricket tournament among our community to mark this occasion. We already had it in Jeddah, and now we have a final on Dec. 27 in Riyadh,” he said.
“We have also launched events to boost cultural cooperation between the two countries.”
Ajwad noted that Saudi Arabia under the visionary leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has embarked on an ambitious Vision 2030 program.
“We witness Saudi Arabia’s fastest developments in all spheres,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries which pledged support for Saudi Arabia hosting Expo 2030. He also said Sri Lanka is proud of the Kingdom winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
“I believe the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations will serve as a catalyst to further consolidate our bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest in the years ahead,” said Ajwad.
Following the commemorative year, “we are planning to initiate the first political consultation meeting between the foreign ministries of both countries, finalizing the roadmap for economic cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia and the relevant ministry in Sri Lanka, and activating the MoU on foreign investment signed this year between Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia,” he added.
On diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, the ambassador said: “We are very closely working on all aspects.”
He added that the Saudi-Sri Lanka Joint Committee was established under the General Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in 2003.
The committee held its first session in 2023 in Riyadh. The Saudi delegation was led by Dr. Abdullah Nasser Abu Thnain, deputy minister of human resources and social development, while the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Tharaka Balasuriya, former minister of state for foreign affairs.
“We have identified around 63 items for economic cooperation under the Joint Committee. We have also set up an economic roadmap under the framework of the Joint Committee,” said the ambassador.
“It’s a very promising roadmap. So we will build on the relations that we have already maintained, to elevate it to the new heights,” said Ajwad.
Saudi Arabia’s assistance to Sri Lanka is broad and diverse. The Kingdom has provided assistance to the tune of $455 million to implement over 15 development projects in education, irrigation, agriculture and road networks, including the establishment of Medical Faculty at the University of Sabaragamuwa, the development of the Wayamba University township and the Kurinchakerni Bridge project.
The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has also implemented 18 projects including shelter, food security, and humanitarian operations at a cost of more than $15 million.
Formation of a Parliamentary Friendship Committee between the two countries has further strengthened bilateral ties, said the envoy.
“We are also focused on the private sector interactions between the two countries,” he added.
Tourism is a very promising area for Sri Lanka. “We saw an increased number of Saudi tourists visiting Sri Lanka. Saudis are placed third in number of tourists visitng Sri Lanka,” said Ajwad, adding: “We are working closely on promoting tourism. It’s a promising area. We can work in the hospitality sector as well. There is a big interest.”
Saudi crown prince checks on health of Morocco’s king during phone call
- The king had successful surgery earlier in December
RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a phone call on Friday to King Mohammed VI of Morocco to check on the king's health and wish him continued good health and wellbeing, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Mohammed thanked the crown prince for the call and kind wishes, SPA added.
The king had successful surgery earlier in December on his left shoulder after suffering a fall while working out, state media said.
Japan looks forward to strengthening relations with ‘major power’ Saudi Arabia as 70th anniversary nears
DUBAI: Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya told a press conference on Friday that Saudi Arabia is a “major power” in the Middle East and plays a significant role in peace and stability in the region.
“Saudi Arabia is an important country for Japan, especially when it comes to energy and security. The country is an important partner,” he said.
Responding to a question about next year’s 70th anniversary celebrations between the two countries, Iwaya explained that Japan, on a broader and deeper scope, wants to “promote cooperation and understanding” with Saudi Arabia.
Iwaya said that Japan was soliciting public proposals for commemorative events between the two countries. “Between the governments, we are moving forward with certain plans,” he added.
In October, a commemorative logo was released, which features a combination of a palm tree, a symbol of Saudi Arabia, and cherry blossoms, a flower synonymous with Japan.
The foreign minister also spoke about Japanese boxing champion Naoya Inoue’s sponsorship contract with Riyadh Season.
“(The contract) is something that we should be very happy about, we are proud of this super champion. So, we hope that he will be very active and successful in Saudi Arabia as well. We welcome this,” he told the press conference.
Inoue announced the sponsorship deal in November, which is reported to be worth about $20 million. The boxing champion will have the Riyadh Season logo displayed on the branding for his fights.
During the press conference, Iwaya also announced newly designed Japanese passports in 2025 as well as Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s potential meeting with US president-elect Donald Trump.
Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts
- Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition
RIYADH: The Diriyah Company has announced the launch of Diriyah Season 24/25, which begins on Friday, Dec. 20 with a display of Diriyah’s heritage, hospitality, and immersive cultural experiences through various programs.
Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Company, said: “We anticipate welcoming three million visitors to At-Turaif district, the birthplace of the Kingdom, by Founding Day on Feb. 22, 2025.
“We are breaking records in visitor numbers and forming numerous partnerships for ground and tour operations, with new flights already arriving from countries like China. The international presence in Bujairi is evident every night, making it one of the world’s premier gathering spots.”
Under the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,” Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition, honoring the legacy of Imam Turki bin Abdullah, who founded the Second Saudi State 200 years ago. The much-anticipated Layali Diriyah returns with innovative experiences, while Minzal invites visitors to appreciate the natural beauty and heritage of Diriyah in a winter wonderland.
Guests can engage with the “850” interactive experience, immersing themselves in the narratives of significant historical figures. The Diriyah Storytelling Festival will celebrate literature and promote cultural exchange. Additionally, the Tyn Festival will bring together architects, academics and enthusiasts to celebrate the region’s tradition of mud architecture.
In the historic At-Turaif district and Bujairi Terrace, visitors will embark on a journey filled with cultural and artistic expression. The Souq program combines performing arts with a heritage backdrop enriched by modern elements. Lastly, the Samri Art Activities will offer interactive performances of Samri folk music and dance at various locations in Diriyah throughout the season.
