President of Umm Al-Qura University Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas opened researchers annual scientific meeting for this year's Hajj season organized by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research on Tuesday Dhul-Qe'dah 23, 1438 H to conduct 40 studies and continuous programs with the participation of 50 researchers and research assistants. The meeting was attended by the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi, UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Sorouji, Dean of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain, the Institute's Vice Deans, Dean of College of Social Sciences Dr. Mohamed bin Ahmed BaSagr, Commander of the Special Security Forces for Hajj and Umrah Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Ghafees, Director of Planning and Development in Makkah Police Brig. Gen. Khalid Al-Faar, Advisor to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Hatim bin Hassan Qadi, the representative of the Pilgrims Services Office within the programs of achieving Saudi Vision 2030 and a number of representatives of the relevant authorities at the Institute's headquarters in Azizia campus.         

After initiating the meeting with a Quranic recitation, the Dean of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain delivered address saying that the Institute undertakes its research and consultancy roles in partnership with several relevant bodies in the public and private sectors and attaches the needed concern to Hajj system within the Kingdom vision 2030 revealing that the Institute has registered 25 initiatives within the vision-driven Pilgrims Serving Program.

He explained that the Institute conducts its various studies in the engineering, urban, administrative, humanitarian, media, awareness, technology and information fields under the guidance and support of UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas to achieve Rulers aspirations in terms of preparing research plans and programs, and searching for mutual cooperation opportunities to develop Hajj and Umrah system in such manner which guarantees pilgrims comfort and safety. 
  

Further, he said the Institute has adopted a modern strategy depending on technology to boosting performance, achieving transparency, applying quality standards and performance measures to raise preparedness level, increase accommodation capacity, improve operational efficiency and increase coordination between the elements of Hajj system in such manner which achieves objectives of the Kingdom vision 2030 and the initiatives of the National Transformation Program.  

After that, the researchers reviewed models of the research studies and projects to be conducted during this Hajj season and discussed with the audience these studies through the audience interventions and questions which emphasized the importance of these studies to develop Hajj and Umrah system in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030.  

Then the President of UQU Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas took the podium and delivered speech in which he lauded the boundless support, the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques provides for Hajj and Umrah system in addition to harnessing of all physical and human resources to serve the pilgrims including the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research which is reckoned a scientific beacon working to make use of scientific research in Hajj and Umrah to upgrading services provided by the Kingdom to the pilgrims and visitors to enable them performing their rituals easily and conveniently.

‪‬He added that the institute's studies during this year's Ramadan and Hajj seasons exceed 80 scientific studies and programs in various fields related to health and safety of pilgrims. "Depending on its long experience in Hajj and Umrah System, the Institute offers the competent authorities the fruit of its field studies conducted in Makkah and Madinah in the administrative, humanitarian, environmental, urban, engineering, media information, and technology aspects", he expounded.

He further explained that the institute's recommendations used to come up with applied solutions serving Hajj and Umrah works over the past period and reflecting the developmental and human growth in line with the National Transformation Plan 2020 according to the Kingdom Vision 2030 underscoring that the annual researchers meeting organized by the University represented by the Institute is reckoned a good opportunity for consultations and exchanging of experiences.   

Concluding his speech, he extended his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Emir of Makkah HRS Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and Emir of Madinah HRS Prince Faisal bin Salman  bin Abdul-Aziz for their support provided for the different  research activities and event organized in Makkah and Madinah.

He then presented a memorial gift to the UQU president on this occasion.