Free Wi-Fi in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Haram courtyard

Pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah can take advantage of free Wi-Fi service in the courtyards of the mosque.

This is part of a series of technological services being introduced by the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques for the benefit of the faithful, according to Bandar Al-Khuzaim, director of the information technology center at the presidency.

Al-Khuzaim said the free Wi-Fi service in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque aims at establishing online contacts between the presidency staff and worshippers.

The presidency staff will use this popular wireless networking technology to send guidance and awareness text messages to pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Al-Khuzaim said the presidency will also make available Bluetooth service for worshippers in the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Kaaba) so that those who perform tawaf can know the number of rounds of circumambulation that they have finished. This service is being introduced in cooperation with the technological innovation center at Umm Al-Qura University of Makkah.

“The presidency has also introduced the issuing and renewal of online booking of iftar meals at the Grand Mosque. Both individuals and firms can take advantage of this service to donate iftar meals for worshippers,” he said.

Al-Khuzaim announced that a new facility has been introduced for the electronic registration for performing itikaf (seclusion in the mosque to worship Allah) in six languages. They are Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Turkish and Persian.

A similar online facility is available for those who want to visit the Grand Mosque Exhibition and the Kaaba cover (kiswa) factory, he added.

Article by: english.alarabiya.net

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New Umrah portal helps pilgrims save time and money

MAKKAH — Pilgrims can save up to 15 percent of accommodation expenses by selecting hotels available on the new Umrah services website launched two weeks ago, said Vice President of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah Affairs Abdullah Qadhi.
“We list standard rates for hotels. E-services facilitate and expedite procedures. What used to take 24 hours, will now take a few seconds,” said Qadhi.
He also said pilgrims can now directly contact hotels and do their own bookings rather than use the services of an agent.
Qadhi said the new website includes all features, from Umrah packages to hotel availability. Pilgrims can select their package and services and process their payments.
“We held an introductory workshop on the new website at Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The workshop was attended by Umrah services companies and Sejel Electronic Systems Company,” said Qadhi.
“We are expecting 25 percent more pilgrims than last season when 6 million pilgrims arrived for Umrah. The new website includes all features, from Umrah packages to hotel availability. Pilgrims can select their package and services and process their payment,” said Qadhi.
Having all features in one website curbs exploitation, he added.
“The website was newly launched and Sejel Electronic Systems Company is working on developing it. The company will be available for technical support throughout the day, every day of the week. We have built the website according to international standards. The Ministry of Haj has sponsored the project in order to facilitate pilgrimage for Muslims all over the world,” said Qadhi.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, Qadhi said representatives of Sejel explained to Umrah companies the benefits of registering in the system.
Experts from Sejel at the workshop also taught employees of Umrah companies how to make bookings through the system.
He said all Umrah companies have already registered in the system and all hotels must register through simplified steps for an appointment to obtain a pin number from the Ministry of Haj to deal with Umrah companies through the system.
The meeting was arranged with the coordination of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia is planning to triple the number of Umrah visas. As many as 1.25 million pilgrims are expected to arrive each month starting next year. This compares with 400,000 a month now.
The new system would allow full use of massive expansion projects at the holy sites. The number had declined, particularly because of a multi-billion-dollar expansion which began four years ago at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

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