Nusuk Initiatives Enhance Pilgrim Experience
RIYADH: Two groundbreaking initiatives by Nusuk are revolutionizing the Hajj and Umrah experience for pilgrims, providing convenience and security.
The Pilgrim Card
Nusuk, the official booking platform authorized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for e-visa and planning, offers pilgrims the ability to create detailed pilgrimage itineraries for Makkah, Madinah, and beyond.
The pilgrim card, worn around the neck, serves as an identity card for pilgrims. This card allows Hajj workers to verify the identity of each pilgrim, ensuring that only authorized individuals enter the holy sites.
Zahra Aleid, a Saudi pilgrim, emphasized the importance of the Nusuk card, especially in crowded areas. She shared, “It is very common for people to lose their family or the people they came with. So, with this card, people or security guards can help find your family using the information on the card.”
Success Story of a Pilgrim
Aleid’s Hajj experience was a success. She traveled with a group of pilgrims from the Municipality of Qatif with Masar Batool, a travel service company.
“I am very grateful to be here. I wanted to come to Makkah for a very long time, I love this place … I wanted to come to Umrah, but I am here now. Thank God I am in Hajj,” she expressed.
Viral Video of Nusuk in Action
A viral video on social media showcased the effectiveness of the Nusuk card when Saudi men helped a lost Nigerian pilgrim in Makkah. By scanning his Nusuk card, they identified his hotel and safely escorted him back.
Ministry’s Endorsement
Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, praised Saudi hospitality and cooperation, emphasizing the value of Nusuk in assisting pilgrims. The ministry, in collaboration with the Saudi National Bank, introduced an international digital wallet for Umrah and Hajj travelers.
The Nusuk wallet offers secure money management through encryption technology. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Maiman, the director of digital experience at the ministry, highlighted the wallet’s advanced features, including artificial intelligence and biometric verification.
Saleh Al-Furaih, CEO of SNB’s digital ventures and payments, assured that the service complies with Saudi Central Bank regulations, ensuring financial security for pilgrims.