President of Umm Al-Qura University Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas launched RASID Application designed by Scientific Information and Services Department at the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research for collecting and analyzing surveys. Present in the launching ceremony that took place in the Institute's headquarters in Azizia were the Dean of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain, a numbers of researchers and the representatives of the authorities related to Hajj and Umrah Services.

At the very start, Dr. Assas listened to an elaborate presentation on RASID program by the Head of Scientific Information and Services Department and the Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Institute of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mazin bin Abdullah Malibari who said the application has many features including; the ability of designating surveys by researchers, the ability of distributing surveys to data collectors automatically, the ability of storing information which help in verifying validity of the  entered data such as data collection location and the time consumed to fill the survey in addition to data synchronization and sending data directly to Data Center in proper formats for statistical programs. 

Dr. Malibari also reviewed contents of Data Bank at the Institute branding it as a comprehensive scientific reference for different types of statistics and facts and for building an integrated historical record including the studies, documents, photos, films, maps historical manuscripts of Hajj, Makkah. Madinah and the Holy Sites indicating that it includes more than 113 thousand documents, 204 thousand files and 104 databases.

Within the same vein the Dean of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain 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. He then lauded support and directives of UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas to upgrade Institute's research system.  

For his part, UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas said  RASID Application will serve research system in the Institute explaining the research season of this year's Hajj will witness participation of constellation of Institute's researchers to provide fruit of theie expertise in the studies related to Two Holy Mosques and Holy Sites. These studies, he added will cover several fields including; renewable energy technologies in the holy sites, economy, nutrition, media, awareness, guidance, transportation and crowd management, health and environmental sides, information and statistical system in addition to the programs carried out by  the institute annually which are more than 80 studies and continuous programs.

He further said that the responsibilities laid upon the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research and the confidence entrusted by our wise leadership on it necessitate exerting more effort, time, and resources in this regard. He then lauded efforts made by the Institute's Dean Dr. Sami Barhamain and all the researchers involved in this year's research season wishing them all success in accordance with the services provided for the pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque.