Riyadh: A new initiative has been unveiled to provide hospitality to one million Umrah pilgrims by 2025. The program, named ‘Guest of God Service Program,’ is being launched by the Islamic Affairs Ministry and the Irham Authority. This program aims to enhance facilities and services for pilgrims by integrating advanced and digital services.
The initiative focuses on improving the overall experience for pilgrims, ensuring their needs are met during their stay in Makkah. The new system will also involve the renovation and preservation of 15 historical Islamic and cultural sites.
The goal is to accommodate three million pilgrims annually by 2030, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure, services, and hospitality. The initiative seeks to make Umrah easier and more accessible, incorporating effective and modern solutions for pilgrim management.
By 2023, the program aims to restore and refurbish key historical sites, and by 2030, the number of these sites will increase to 40. The strategy also targets improving satisfaction rates among pilgrims, aiming for 85% satisfaction by the next year and 90% by 2030.
The program is designed to offer a smooth and enjoyable experience for international pilgrims, making use of advanced technology and providing a high standard of service. Currently, Turkey has the largest number of pilgrims visiting for Umrah, with a 312% increase in recent years, while Pakistan leads in terms of numbers with over 20 lakh pilgrims annually. Egypt and Indonesia follow, with 1.76 million and 1.46 million pilgrims respectively.
