Under the patronage of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah and the Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee of Hajj and Chairman of the Hajj Central Committee HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal will launch the 18th 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 Tuesday and Wednesday Sha'ban 15-16, 1439 H, at King Abdul-Aziz Historical Hall at the university campus in Abdyia . The event will be attended by the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Issa and a number of officials and researchers from the Saudi universities, academic institutes and all those concerned with Hajj and Umrah affairs from the private and public sectors.   

This was announced by the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Supervisor General of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Prof. Abdullah Omar Bafail in a press conference held on Sunday Sha'ban 14, 1439 H, at his office at the university campus in Abdyia with the participation of the Dean of the Institute Dr. Sami bin Yassin Barhamain, Institute's Vice Deans  and the heads of the committees working in the forum.

In the conference, Prof. Bafail lauded the noble patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and the honorable attendance of HRH the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah and the Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee of Hajj and Chairman of the Hajj Central Committee HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal 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 doers, 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, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his noble patronage, and to HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal 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 doers and all the visitors of this holy land. 

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 57 scientific papers out of 140 papers received by the committee from the researchers and those interested in this regard representing more than 20 academic, public and private sectors from inside the Kingdom to be discussed in 6 scientific sessions including; 11 work papers from public, private and academic institutions as initiatives, experiments in Hajj and Umrah. 

All the more, he discussed the themes to be covered by the forum including the achievements and initiatives of serving the pilgrims, the future of Hajj and Umrah services system in light of the Kingdom Vision 2030. The technical, media and engineering studies besides the environmental and health studies. He added that the posters session will include all these themes in addition to the administrative and social studies theme.  

Concluding his speech, Dr. Barhamain indicated that all the scientific papers were verified according to the approved scientific standards by the scientific committee formed by the UQU President, praising 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 18th 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 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.