KSA’s General Authority for Statistics is using a comprehensive high-tech system to update the Hajj statistics program, ArabNews reported on August 30, as part of its Hajj operations for this year.
About 400 statisticians at nine facilities in Makkah, in addition to three support centers in Madinah, Jeddah and Taif, use an online network to provide the main centers in Makkah and Riyadh with data.
Hajj data is updated every six hours through the Hajj interactive statistical map on the authority’s official website.
The authority’s data technique agent, Khaled Al-Dalkan, said the authority is working to develop methods, approaches and programming techniques. This is done to collect, process, analyze and publish data to achieve comprehensive, immediate and credible information.
“The authority uses high-tech techniques that help reduce the time and spatial dimensions that might hamper the speed of processing and publishing data,” he said.
Al-Dalkan explained that the new technique uses software to collect data through an online form. Thus, this keeps track of the daily total number of pilgrims. In fact, they are classified by their nationalities, time and place of arrival and vehicle types.
He stated that the authority designated a technical team to work around the clock. Basically, we formed it of a support team and an analytic team. Moreover, it also includes a team specialized in developing data collection, and monitoring all remarks and demands of field teams.
“We created the interactive map of Hajj statistics this year and anyone can check number of pilgrims arriving in Makkah, with an update every six hours,” he clarified.
Hajj implements the ideal pattern of interaction between humans and the Creator. And relations between humans and the non-human worlds as well. Hence, hajj should be a model of social, economic, political and environmental best practice.
Respect for all life and justice towards all of creation is a part of the pilgrim’s apparel at all times.
Disseminate Info Among Pilgrims
On the other hand, Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance said that scientific foundations of disseminating information are the basis of its programs. This promising program aims to educate pilgrims for the current hajj season.
“They explain the rituals in an innovative way based on research, monitoring and evaluation of results over the past years,” the ministry announced.
“In addition, we prepared these programs according to mechanisms for implementing educational programs, and how to produce and disseminate them in a manner suitable for pilgrims,” the ministry added.
Furthermore, the programs include the use of social media as well as traditional means such as voice messages and films.
“The plan focuses on disseminating the meanings of moderation and intellectual moderation, and how we strengthen and disseminate it among Muslim communities,” said Sheikh Talal bin Ahmed Al-Aqeel, adviser to the minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and chairman of the media awareness programs committee.
Moreover, it includes advice about irregularities that some people may commit.
Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj consists of several rituals, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islam. They commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is performed by every Muslim with the financial and physical ability. With a sense of anticipation, pilgrims leave their families; traversing lands and seas towards the pinnacle of this life altering passage – the plain of ‘Arafah.