Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud,  HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdul-Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Hajj and Chairman of the Higher Supervisory Committee of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, will launch the 17th Scientific Forum for Hajj and Umrah Research organized by Umm Al-Qura University represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research on Wednesday and Thursday Sha'ban 14-15, 1438 H, at Taibah University in Madinah. The event will be attended by the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Iesa and a number of officials and researchers from the Saudi universities, academic institutes and all those concerned with Hajj and Umrah affairs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Assas lauded the noble patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and the honorable attendance of HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdul-Aziz in the opening ceremony of the forum. Such a thing, he underscored proceeds from the keenness, attention and lasting patronage attached by the rulers of this country to pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, and their generous support provided for upgrading the quality of services offered for them to perform their rituals easily and conveniently.  

He added that, in line with the directives of the rulers, the Kingdom harnessed and still all its physical capabilities and human capacities, and worked and still every year to devise necessary plans and strategies in this regard according to scientific and research methodology. "Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Researches, is honored with the work of developing Hajj and Umrah system through scientific research and specialized studies to address all obstacles and challenges and suggest practical solutions which contribute to implementing the projects and design plans intended to provide comfort for the pilgrims visiting these holy places annually", he expounded.   

He went on to add that the meeting aims at  attracting researchers and specialists working in the Saudi universities and research institutes and those interested in the studies related to Hajj and Umrah research, as well as the employees in the public and private sectors to discuss topics, researches, and developments related to Hajj and Umrah services so as to provide summary of the researches, studies and proposals they have in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030, exchange points of views, and take advantage of the latest international technological and scientific developments, aiming at continuous development of the services provided for the pilgrims and visitors of the prophet's (PBUH) mosques.  

On this occasion, the president of UQU has expressed his great appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his noble patronage, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, for his honorable attendance in the opening ceremony of the forum. He expressed his hope for the conference to come up with recommendations in line with the aspirations and directives of  the wise leadership, aiming at making the Hajj and its services a model and unique example reflecting the blessed efforts and work provided by the Kingdom for the sake of the pilgrims, Umrah performers and all the visitors of this holy land. He also extended his thanks to the Advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah  and Chairman of Central Hajj Committee Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, and to the Emir of Madinah, and the Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee in Madinah   HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman for their keenness and close follow-up of works and studies of the Institute and its undertaken tasks in developing system of Hajj and Umrah. He also appreciated President of Taibah University Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Sarani for hosting the forum this year. 

On his part, the Dean of the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Researches, Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain, said the scientific committee approved 112 scientific papers out of 269 papers received by the committee from the researchers and those interested in this regard to be discussed in 8 scientific sessions including 46 scientific papers and 66 scientific posters. He indicated that all the scientific papers were verified according to the approved scientific standards by the scientific committee formed by the UQU President.  

He went on to added that the forum will discuss eight topics including, Hajj and Umrah jurisdiction, management, economy, urbanization, engineering, environment, health, awareness, media, technology applications, impacts of initiatives in the achievements and community participation in serving pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors of the prophet(PBUH) mosque.   

Concluding his speech, Dr. Barhamain valued the noble patronage and significant concern attached by the wise leadership to whatever develops Hajj and Umrah system including the patronage and support provided for the 17th hajj and Umrah Forum. He also lauded the efforts of the UQU President, who spare no effort in supporting the institute enabling it to undertake its role and sought- after the mission, besides implementing its scientific programs organized annually to discuss several studies and visions submitted by specialists, researchers and those interested in hajj and Umrah Affairs.