President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas on Tuesday Ramadan 11, 1438 H inaugurated the annual meeting of researchers organized by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research with the participation of the parties involved in serving guests of the Grand and Prophet's Mosques. The inauguration ceremony took place at the research tent at the Institute's headquarters in Azizia in the presence of UQU Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi, Dean of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Sami Barhamain, and the Institute's vice deans and heads of scientific departments.

After initiating the event with Quranic recitation, Dean of Hajj and Umrah Institute Dr. Sami Barhamain delivered speech saying that the Institute organized various specialized scientific researches most notably the annual meeting held in Al-Madinah under noble patronage of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and honorable attendance of the Crown Prince in the opening ceremony with the participation of a constellation of researchers from the universities and representatives of the public and private sectors  to review studies and researches and express opinion in this regard to take in the scientific research and  field application and reach integrated efforts in order to achieve second to non-services for the pilgrims based on the scientific foundations, in-depth studies and specialized field studies. He explained that the Institute will carry out during the current Ramadan season 27 studies and programs in the administrative, humanitarian, environmental, health, engineering,  urban, media and information fields, indicating that the Institute works on annual basis to develop the information system to support crowd movement in peak times in Makkah and Al-Madinah. Some funded studies to be carried out in Ramadan include the statistical study of the features of the goers of the Prophet's Mosques, Crowd management, and organization, follow up of shuttle transportation, assessment of buses specifications besides revision of transportation tariff.

He was followed by UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas who praised the support provided and still to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research by the wise leadership led by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince  thus helping the Institute to undertake its role in various research aspects and submitting scientific studies and solution to upgrade level of services provided for millions of pilgrims, Umrah doers and visitors who come to the holy lands every year. He highlighted the efforts exerted by the Institute over four decades and its contribution to various projects, initiatives and consultations which brought about a qualitative leap in the system of Hajj and Umrah. He also praised the continuous follow up of the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Mosques, Chairman of Hajj Central Committee, Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Emir of Al-Madinah and Chairman of Central Hajj Committee in Al-Madinah HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman and the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Ieesa extending his thanks to those in charge of the Institute including the Dean, Vice Deans, Researchers and Administrative officers. He then prayed Allah to grant success to everyone.  

Then, the scientific programs of the meeting were presented including samples of the studies to be carried out during Ramadan which was followed by the discussions and interventions.