Under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, May Allah Protect Him, the events of the 16^th meeting for Hajj and Umrah Researches, organized by University of Umm Al-Qura (UQU) represented by the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Researches, will be held in the period from  17^th to 18^th of Sha'aban 1437H, at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall, in the university headquarters, Abidia. The meeting will be attended by a number of experts, and researchers in the field of Hajj and Umrah from inside and outside the Kingdom. 

In this regard, the president of Umm Al-Qura University, His Excellency Dr. Bakri bin M'atoog Al-Assas, has lauded the care, and concern  paid by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness the Deputy Crown Prince- May Allah Support them- to the pilgrims, and their generous support to upgrade level of services provided to the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort and tranquility.

His Excellency said "the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, of this 16^th  scientific meeting for Hajj and Umrah Researches, reflects his lasting keenness on all what would provide the best services and offer everything that would achieve ease and comfort for the visitors of the holy places".

He added that the Kingdom has harnessed and still all its physical capabilities and human capacities, and has worked and still (working) 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.   

Within the same vein, Dr. Assas explained that the scientific meeting for Hajj and Umrah researches, is an annual scientific event which gathers specialists, officials and workers in the field of Hajj and Umrah to  provide the summary of the researches, studies and proposals they have, exchange point of views and benefit from the latest international technological and scientific developments, aiming at continuous development of the services provided for the pilgrims.  He went on to add that the meeting aims at  attracting researchers and specialists working in the Saudi universities and research institutes, those interested in the studies related to Hajj and Umrah researches, as well as the employees in the public and private sectors to discuss topics, researches and developments related to Hajj and Umrah services.

All the more, Dr. Assas extended his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the  Two Holy Mosques for his patronage of this occasion which reflects the intensive care and continuous support offered by the rulers to the Institute. He expressed his hope for the conference to come up with recommendations   which serve the works of Hajj and Umrah and visiting of the Prophet’s Mosque. The recommendations, he added, are  in line with the aspirations and directives of  the wise leadership, with the aim of making the Hajj and its services a model and unique example that reflects the blessed efforts and work provided by the Kingdom for the sake of the pilgrims bounding for Makkah to perform the fifth pillar of Islam “the Hajj” and Umrah rituals and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.

On his part, the Dean of the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Researches, Dr. Atif  bin Hussein Asghar, said the meeting will discuss seven topic including, urbanization and engineering applications, environment and health, technology applications, management, economy and services, awareness and media, Hajj and Umrah jurisdiction, and efforts and achievements. He pointed out that these topics were set   according to a number of scientific papers reaching up to 200 papers which have gone through arbitration by the scientific committee approved by HE the president of the university Dr. Bakri bin M'atoog Al-Assas. He added that 60% of these papers were approved prior to be presented to the meeting. In this regard, he lauded the support and follow-up the president of the university provided to the Institute, the thing which made it achieving the excellence in its activities in which many problems facing the visitors of the two holy mosques are discussed.