Umm Al-Qura University, represented by the Vice Presidency for Educational Development, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research participated in the 4th International Conference for Mass Gathering Medicine with three scientific papers. The conference was organized by the Global Center for Mass Gathering Medicine at the Ministry of Health, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and was held in Jeddah from 10-13 December 2019 A.H. 

The UQU participated in the conference by moderating scientific sessions and presenting scientific papers, and holding an accompanying exhibition to showcase the commendable contributions of the UQU and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute in studying, analyzing, and developing scientific solutions for managing mass-gatherings in holy places (during Hajj and Umrah seasons) and in Makkah Al- Mukarramah Region. The exhibition opening was attended by the University Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Ahmad Babalgith, and the Dean of the Institute, Dr. Basim Qadi.

During the conference, the Institute presented three scientific papers. The first addressed the protection of mass gatherings from Legionnaires' disease, the second discussed the improvement of crowd-sustaining services using the seven-rule method in risk analysis, and the third tackled the uses of the geographical information system (GIS) in detecting the foci of disease vectors in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

This cooperation between the Institute and the Ministry of Health comes within the framework of the memorandum of cooperation previously signed by the Institute with the Global Center for Mass Gathering Medicine at the Ministry of Health to prepare scientific papers on relevant topics, participate in the management of scientific and organizational conference committees, as well as partake in moderating the scientific sessions and presenting scientific papers prepared by the Institute's researchers in the accompanying exhibition during the conference.

His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabi`ah, honored the UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Babalghith, for the lauded participation of Umm Al-Qura University, which contributed to the success of the activities of the 4th International Conference for Mass Gathering Medicine.

It is worth noting that the conference was attended by more than 30 countries to discuss the health care standards in mass gathering medicine, and emergency risk management during Hajj and Umrah seasons.