MINA: The Haj pilgrimage under way in Mecca has been accelerating the growth of digital worship and spawning a slew of religious apps, tablet Qurans and faith-based gadgets.
At the peak of Mount Arafat, numerous pilgrims were absorbed in Quranic verses displayed on their smartphones — rapidly replacing traditional printed holy books.
“Of course I read the Quran on my phone... it’s much more simple,” said Egyptian teacher Ahmad Salim, 46, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Haj, one of Islam’s five pillars.
For the first time in the Haj’s history, 5G super high-speed mobile technology has been deployed around the holy sites to allow the faithful to transfer data at breakneck speeds.
Tech giants Zain and Nokia will even “demonstrate advanced virtual reality... allowing users to experience the Haj remotely as if they were there”, using 360 degree high-definition video over 5G.
Many pilgrims snapped selfies over the five-day rite, held this year August 9 to 14, and sent video clips to friends and family back home.
Almost 2.5 million Muslims have travelled to Mecca in western Saudi Arabia for the religious gathering, which is one of the world’s largest and most logistically complex.
The Haj has taken on an increasingly high-tech dimension in recent years with the emergence of mobile phone apps designed to help pilgrims from around the world navigate their experience.
Software exists to help visitors get around Mecca and the surrounding area as well as access medical services and properly follow religious rites. Saudi’s Haj ministry even sends text messages to pilgrims with a variety of information and advice.
A major digital innovation for this year’s Haj has been the introduction of electronic Haj visas “delivered online for the first time without necessitating a consulate visit. It’s been a success,” said Haj ministry official Hassan Qadi.
“It’s very practical, especially for those travelling with family,” said Jordanian Abderrahman Shdaifat, 44, making his first Haj.
The authorities have also increasingly turned to technology to improve the Haj experience and avoid incidents like the stampede that claimed some 2,300 lives in 2015. — AFP
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