Four smartphone apps launched to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, says religious ministry

A Muslim pilgrim takes a selfie at the Grand Mosque in the holy Saudi city of Makkah, early on August 30, 2017, on the eve of the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. (AFP/File)

• Move aimed at facilitating nationals during their stay in Saudi Arabia
• More than 200,000 expected to perform the pilgrimage this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs launched four smartphone apps to facilitate Hajj pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
“The purpose is to provide guidance to pilgrims and help them in every possible way,” Imran Siddiqui, the ministry’s spokesperson told Arab News on Monday.
Siddiqui said that the Rehnuma-e-Hajj (Guidance for Hajj) app is very useful as it provides information about the complete set of rituals during the pilgrimage. “We have uploaded a comprehensive booklet and documentary about Hajj, so everything related to Hajj is in this app,” he said.
Additionally, the Hajj Muavineen (Hajj helpers) app includes information about paramedics and other staff that have been deputed by the Pakistani government to assist the pilgrims, while the Mina Locator app will help them find the routes to different camps in Mina and other locations.
The fourth app, termed Hajj Complaints, can be used by pilgrims “to register complaints.”
Pakistan began its Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia from July 4 for its 200,000 nationals performing Hajj this year.
For the purpose, a team of Saudi officials had visited the capital in the last week of June to install an immigration system at the Islamabad International Airport.
The move, part of the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, follows Pakistan’s inclusion in the initiative as per the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during his visit to the country in February this year.
According to the religious ministry, more than 25,000 pilgrims from Pakistan have already reached Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage this year.