Sixth International Hajj Conference and Exhibition Opens in Jeddah: High Technology for Pilgrims

On Sunday, the sixth International Hajj Conference and Exhibition opened at the Jeddah Superdome exhibition complex. The four-day event is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in conjunction with the Pilgrim Experience Program, which is part of Saudi Vision 2030.

The opening ceremony was conducted by the Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal on behalf of King Salman. The event was attended by high-ranking Saudi officials, heads of Hajj missions and representatives of Hajj affairs departments from various countries of the Islamic world. The Deputy Emir toured the exhibition, familiarizing himself with the latest technologies and smart solutions to improve pilgrim services, and visited pavilions of state, private and non-profit organizations participating in the event.

Scale of the Event

The conference and exhibition, held under the motto "From Makkah to the World," brings together more than 520 organizations from the public, private and non-profit sectors from Saudi Arabia and other countries. More than 150 countries are represented. The exhibition area spans over 67,000 square meters, featuring more than 15 major zones and programs covering operational activities, knowledge exchange, technology, business, innovation, information and education.

The conference program is structured around three main areas:

• infrastructure and operational services;
• capacity building and integration;
• development and sustainability.

Technologies and Preparation for Hajj 2027

The event showcases solutions in transport, accommodation, catering, healthcare and technology, demonstrating part of the preparatory work that begins several months before pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia. The conference is part of early preparation for the 2027 Hajj season and brings together Hajj affairs departments, service providers and relevant authorities to coordinate procedures, finalize contracts and discuss ways to enhance readiness for the season.

Special attention is given to innovation: the innovation zone, hackathon and "Technology Oasis" have brought together specialists, entrepreneurs and technology companies to find solutions that meet the real needs of pilgrims — from managing crowd movement to simplifying access to information and services.

Statements by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, discussed key changes in the Hajj and Umrah system. According to him, the number of companies providing services to pilgrims from abroad has been increased to 34, direct contracting has been expanded to 58 countries, and the Direct Hajj Program has been extended to 75 countries. Early preparation is also underway for the 1448 Hijri Hajj season in coordination with Hajj affairs departments in 78 countries, while infrastructure for holy sites and transport continues to develop.

The Minister noted digital transformation: the number of users of the Nusuk platform and application has exceeded 70 million, and the level of pilgrim satisfaction with the 1447 Hijri Hajj season reached 93 percent. According to him, the Hajj conference and exhibition has become a global platform for early preparation, partnership building, contract finalization and service development.

At the opening ceremony, Indonesia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Muhammad Irfan Yusuf, spoke on behalf of the heads of Hajj affairs departments. The launch of the Information and Education Forum and a unified portal for personnel was also announced, and the Deputy Emir of Makkah witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Sources: Saudi Gazette, Saudi Gazette, Al Madina, Al Madina.

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