Haj, Umrah conference ends on positive note

MUSCAT: The Second Haj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition concluded and came up with several recommendations in the fields of organisation, technology, awareness-raising, economy and health.
The recommendations aim to develop the Haj and Umrah system and enhance the quality of services provided to the pilgrims keeping pace with modern transformations and enhancing integration between various stakeholders inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
In the organisational and administrative fields, the conference emphasised the importance of enhancing coordination and integration between government and private entities involved in Haj and Umrah affairs and enhancing the participation of those in charge of the sector in the regional and international forums to exchange experiences. It also seeks to develop Haj-related regulations and address the challenges facing the Haj schedule to ensure quality of services and save effort, time and money.
In the technical and smart services area, the conference recommended moving forward to complete the digital transformation of Haj and Umrah services, from registration to return. This includes the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve logistical needs, and the implementation of a smart tracking system for pilgrims and Umrah performers using GPS, smart bracelets and mobile applications. This ensures the speed and accuracy of procedures and the safety of pilgrims and Umrah performers.
On the awareness and legal front, the conference recommended the implementation of comprehensive awareness programmes before pilgrims depart for the Haj rituals, the production of high-quality media content that enhances religious, administrative, and health awareness, the encouragement of academic research on the history of Omani Haj, the documentation of the oral history of Haj companies, and the establishment of a miniature Haj museum in the next conference. It also called for expediting the issuance of Umrah regulations to achieve full governance of the sector.
On the economic and investment front, the conference called for encouraging public-private partnerships to develop support services for pilgrims and Umrah performers and Umrah performers, stimulating national investment in transportation, accommodation, and food, supporting Haj companies with flexible financing programmes, developing smart solutions for electronic payments, and enhancing transparency in roaming service.
The conference aimed to strengthen partnerships among all Haj and Umrah partners in the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, provide opportunities for competition among service providers to the pilgrims and Umrah performers from the Sultanate of Oman, encourage the use of technology in providing quality services to pilgrims and Umrah performers and facilitate the provision of services, among other objectives.
The Omani Haj Mission announced the launch of a package of initiatives for the 1447 AH season, including the ‘Endowment for the House of Ribat’ initiative of approximately RO 200,000 to support eligible social security beneficiaries for the 1447 AH Haj season. This is in addition to the initiative aimed at measuring the readiness of Haj companies to ensure the highest standards of efficiency and quality and improve company performance, as well as the ‘Airline’ and ‘Housing’ initiatives. — ONA