JEDDAH: The “History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques” forum was launched on Monday by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah).
Highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in developing and caring for the mosques and the evolution of the Hajj experience over the years, the forum was unveiled during the fifth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program.
The forum is focused on Hajj as a pillar of Islamic identity and a manifestation of unity among Muslims. Through the platform, Darah seeks to use research data to develop accessible cultural and educational content.
Organized as part of a broader project on the history of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques, it is aligned with the foundation’s mission to preserve and document the history of the Kingdom and its holiest sites.
It aims to be a national and global reference for chronicling the Hajj ritual and promoting the Kingdom’s cultural image, in line with Vision 2030’s culture and tourism objectives.
Prince Faisal bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of Darah’s board of directors, stressed the forum’s importance and said the history of Hajj would be documented using a scientific approach, including interactive content.
In his opening speech, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said: “The prince plays a prominent role in preserving the national heritage and documenting the features of the historical transformation the Kingdom has witnessed in serving the Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques.
“His Highness has left a clear mark on supporting knowledge and cultural projects that embody the Kingdom’s historical depth and highlight to the world the great efforts exerted by the wise leadership in developing the holy sites to serve the pilgrims.”
Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, emphasized the role of modern technologies in documenting and presenting the rich Hajj experience.
The forum will feature more than 10 specialized panel sessions with over 50 speakers, including historians, researchers and specialists in history, architecture, culture, media and digital technologies, documenting the Hajj through a modern and comprehensive lens.
It will also discuss topics such as organizing Hajj and Umrah and serving pilgrims, crowd management, transport, and healthcare, and digital transformation for documentation and guidance.
On the sidelines of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, which runs at Super Dome Jeddah until Nov. 12, an exhibition titled “Architecture of the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites” highlights the history of Hajj over 100 years through rare original documents, historical photographs, manuscripts, artifacts and tools used by pilgrims, in addition to digital media and modern display technologies.
