The Scientific Committee of the 17th Hajj and Umrah Research Forum organized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud in the period from Shaaban 14-15, 1438 H at the Occasions Hall in Taiba University in Al-Madinah, announced that reception of the complete research for the participants in the forum  is extended up to end of the current month of Jumada Al-Oula.  

Dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Hamza Ghulman said that they have so far received 250 research abstracts and that reception of the complete research has been extended up to the end of the current month via the email [email protected]

He pointed out the forum will shed light on eight themes related to the services provided for pilgrims and the visitors of the Grand Mosques and the Prophet Mosque which will be discussed in Hajj and Umrah Jurisprudence theme meant to focus on the jurisprudence on emerging issues/incidents, the purposes of sharia and jurisprudential applications of Hajj and Umrah. The Second theme covers management and economy related to management and operation of Hajj and Umrah  facilities and increasing its quality and efficiency, reducing operation workforce, management of crises, the social and  psychological  requirements of the pilgrims and those who serve them besides improving  efficiency of financial planning and government spending in addition to the historical and geographical aspects.  

Dr. Ghulman went on to add that the forum will discuss construction and engineering theme which covers construction and engineering environment, transportation and housing, mass gathering technologies, renewable energy, operation, maintenance and safety, design standards, engineering development and operation of services and facilities, whilst the fourth theme is about environment and health and will discuss environmental changes and their impact on public health (as well as evaluating environmental impact of facilities serving pilgrims and visitors, Umrah doers and visitors.

The fifth theme he said is related to media and awareness and will study media, awareness and guidance and means of communication with pilgrims, visitors and service providers and the modern technologies to collect, process and analyze information, decision making's support systems technologies, business management and building of operational indicators, simulation programs, artificial intelligence applications, the international experiments and how to make use of them, development of e-government, information security.

He pointed out that the theme of initiatives and achievements in services and facilities development will review the initiatives of government agencies in line with the national transformation program 2020 in the field of Hajj and Umrah, the experiences, efforts and expertise of the companies and establishments working in the field of services and facilities maintenance, operation and planning and the achievements made in the service of pilgrims.

Further he added the seventh theme will focus on community participation in providing services for pilgrims and visitors to promote culture of hardworking amongst youth , expand training to provide labor market requirements, increase women participation in the labor market, boost and support culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, increase small and mediums business contribution in the economy  and increase contribution of the productive families in the economy, voluntary work and charitable meals.  

At the conclusion, Dr, Ghulman lauded the close follow-up of the UQU President and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Forum Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas and praised efforts exerted by the forum’s committees.