Makkah, 11 December 2024. The 24th Scientific Symposium on Hajj, Umrah and Ziyarah Research, organized by Umm Al-Qura University through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, concluded today. This year's symposium, held under the theme "Excellence in Transport and Crowd Management," featured scientific sessions covering the latest technologies and innovative methods for improving crowd management and transport during Hajj, Umrah and Ziyarah seasons.

Key Session Themes

Session Five: Modern Technologies in Crowd and Transport Management discussed the role of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, geographic information systems (GIS), and virtual and augmented reality in:

  • Improving crowd management.
  • Developing smart emergency systems to efficiently manage critical situations.
  • Applying end-to-end transformer theory for crowd counting during Hajj seasons.

The session was chaired by Dr. Alfat bint Miraj Mirza, Deputy Director of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research.

The final session, Sustainable Practices in Transport and Crowd Management, covered:

  • Sustainable, eco-friendly strategies for managing crowd movement and transport.
  • Reducing environmental impact and improving air quality during the seasons.
  • Preserving natural resources through community initiatives.
  • The role of sustainability indicators in boosting the efficiency of transport systems.

The session was chaired by Dr. Adnan bin Yahya Al-Shahrani, Dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research.

Toward a Sustainable and Innovative Future

Participants praised the importance of the research and discussions presented at the symposium in developing smart and sustainable solutions for crowd and transport management. The sessions produced recommendations that support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in making Hajj and Umrah seasons an exceptional experience through modern technology and sustainable environmental practices.