The sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from 8 to 11 November. Organised jointly by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, it is expected to bring together more than 520 government, private and non-profit organisations and representatives of Hajj offices from many countries, just as preparations for the 2027 Hajj season gather pace.
A Barta24 report explains why it matters through the pilgrim's experience. An airline can get a pilgrim to Saudi Arabia on time, a transport company can have its buses ready and a hotel in Makkah its rooms, but if the services are poorly coordinated a pilgrim may wait for hours in uncertainty.
According to the report, national Hajj offices know their pilgrims' languages, customs and practical problems, while the Saudi authorities and service providers have long experience of transport, housing, healthcare and movement between the holy sites. Big improvements come when the gaps between where one organisation's responsibility ends and another's begins are made clear.
The report is cautious about technology. A sophisticated digital platform may look perfect to its builders but help little an elderly pilgrim who struggles with a smartphone or cannot read instructions in an unfamiliar language. Simple steps, such as clear directions, better communication between providers and timely information, can make a large difference.
In the report's view, the conference will be judged not by the number of participants or agreements but by how far it brings real, lasting improvement to Hajj management. It was filed by Barta24's staff correspondent in Dhaka.
Photo: Jeddah Corniche, Sammy Six / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Source: Barta24
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