Tunisian Prime Minister Yousuf Al-Shahed visited the pavilion of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) on Friday 25th Jumada II 1438H. The Institute participated in the pavilion of Saudi Arabia at Tunis International Book Fair “Foire internationale du livre de Tunis,” on 2 March-24 April 2017.

During the visit, the Tunisian PM listened to a simple explanation of the Institute’s role and research and advisory objectives through which it worked within the system of Hajj, Umrah and visitation. Then, the PM received a souvenir from Dr. Sami bin Yaseen Barhamin, Dean of the Institute. 

Dr. Barhamin said that the Institute participated in the pavilion of Saudi Arabia at Tunis International Book Fair. Such participation aimed to highlight the various programs, studies, research and activities carried out by the Institute in order to develop the services provided to the pilgrims and visitors. 

Dr. Barhamin added that the Institute's pavilion contained many pictures, figures and explanations that mimicked the giant projects executed by KSA (May Allah protect it!) for the convenience and service of the pilgrims and visitors in Makkah, the Holy Places and Al-Madinah. He pointed out that the Institute's pavilion, in cooperation with the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Ka'aba, was characterized by bringing a piece of the cover of the Ka’aba to be woven in reality in front of visitors. It also featured gifts for visitors, including pictures of the Holy Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, the Kaaba, the Black Stone and the Holy Rawdah.

In this context, the Dean of the Institute thanked the organizers of the Saudi pavilion, headed by the Tunisian Cultural Attaché, Dr. Muhammad Al-Toum. He said that Dr. Al-Toum spared no effort to support the Institute's staff, from the reception to the organizational arrangements for the participation of the Institute in the Fair.

The event witnessed the participation of Dr. Sami bin Yaseen Barhamin (Dean of the Institute and Supervisor of the Pavillion), Dr. Hemdan bin Darwish Al-Ghamdi (Staff Member at the Institute), Dr. Tareq Al-Aqla (Head of the Administrative and Humanitarian Researches Department), Prof. Abdulaziz bin Daifullah Al-Zahrani (Lecturer at the Media Affairs and Researches Department), and Hisham bin Abdulmajeed Hasan (Weaver of the Ka’aba Cover).

It is worth mentioning that the pavilion of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research was very popular with visitors at the beginning of Tunis International Book Fair, which confirmed its significance and value to them.