Riyadh, February 4, 2025 – The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, has officially inaugurated the second phase of the Islamic Awareness Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation for the 1446 AH season. The initiative, which is managed by the General Secretariat for Islamic Awareness in Hajj, Umrah, and Visitation, is a vital component of the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance the religious and educational experience of pilgrims and visitors during the Umrah season.
This year’s program will expand its services, offering guidance to approximately 1.5 million individuals and distributing 20 million text messages in over 50 languages to inform and support pilgrims and visitors in Makkah, particularly at key locations such as the Masjid al-Haram and Masjid Miqat (Dhul Hulaifah Mosque). The primary aim of this initiative is to ensure that visitors not only have a spiritually enriching experience but also receive the necessary guidance for their pilgrimage in a seamless manner.
A visual presentation during the launch ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of the previous phase and provided insights into the expanded services for the current Umrah season. The second phase of the program includes the distribution of over 1.4 million guidance services, such as sermons, religious lessons, and lectures, all designed to enhance pilgrims' understanding of Islamic teachings and practices.
Additionally, the initiative will provide a range of communication tools to address pilgrims' questions, including Islamic Awareness booths, a toll-free hotline, and video call services via iPads. Printed materials, including educational brochures and booklets, will also be handed out to visitors to deepen their religious knowledge.
As part of its broader communication efforts, the program will utilize electronic screens at strategic locations, broadcasting awareness messages in over 50 languages to ensure maximum reach. These messages will provide essential religious and logistical information, further enhancing the pilgrims’ journey. Additionally, over 20 million text messages will be sent to pilgrims and visitors, reinforcing key messages and offering timely advice.
The program’s first phase was highly successful, with more than 21,000 religious awareness activities delivered, including sermons, lectures, and lessons. Over 70,000 inquiries were answered at Islamic Awareness sites, and the toll-free hotline received over 376,000 calls in more than 10 languages. The first phase also saw the distribution of more than 300,000 printed materials, which were beneficial to more than 3 million individuals.
The continued success of this initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to offering a spiritually fulfilling and well-organized experience for millions of pilgrims, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to enhance the Kingdom’s status as a global hub for religious tourism.
