Revolutionizing the Pilgrim Experience: Innovators Challenged to Enhance Mobility in Makkah
In a bid to revolutionize the pilgrim experience in Makkah for individuals with mobility issues, innovators and entrepreneurs have been called upon to develop cutting-edge solutions. The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Umm Al-Qura University, and investment business Wadi Makkah Co. have joined forces to organize a week-long event aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration.
Improving Pilgrim Services Through Innovation
The primary objective of the event is to enhance pilgrim services by devising innovative solutions to assist individuals facing challenges in completing Hajj rituals, such as Tawaf and Sa’i. The challenge encompasses four categories focusing on manual wheelchairs, electric vehicles, golf carts, and trailers, with an additional open section for creative mobility ideas.
Empowering Innovators for a Brighter Future
Ali Al-Shaery, the CEO of Wadi Makkah, expressed pride in the company’s involvement in the collaborative initiative, emphasizing the pivotal role it can play in improving mobility for pilgrims. He underscored the importance of enriching the pilgrim experience and increasing the number of pilgrims and Umrah performers by 2030.
Fostering Knowledge Exchange and Expert Mentorship
Through specialized workshops and guidance from expert mentors, participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to develop innovative solutions. The challenge aims to provide a platform for cultural enrichment, empowering innovators to create impactful mobility solutions.
Driving Innovation Through Academic Engagement
Ammar Attar, a faculty member at Umm Al-Qura University, highlighted the significance of engaging the academic community in addressing real-world challenges. By collaborating with students, researchers, and faculty members, the initiative seeks to design creative solutions that enhance the pilgrim experience.
Rewards for Innovation
Participants in the challenge have the opportunity to win prizes of SR10,000 ($2,666) for the best projects in each category. With the support of mentors and access to essential resources, innovators are poised to create success stories that elevate the pilgrim experience in Makkah.