MAKKAH, The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in its efforts to better serve pilgrims, has introduced a multilingual 3D virtual reality application aimed at instructing pilgrims on the Haj and Umrah rituals, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

According to the report this initiative coincides with the influx of pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom to perform Haj and aims to train users in correctly performing Haj and Umrah rituals while also minimising common mistakes made during the pilgrimage.

The report highlighted that the introduction of 3D models and virtual reality technology aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which emphasises the integration of technology to enhance services provided to pilgrims.

“The application provides virtual tours that replicate the authentic environments of the Grand Mosque and the holy sites, including Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

“The utilisation of this application creates an educational setting that accurately replicates the geographical a
nd temporal realities of performing these rituals. This, in turn, assists in overcoming obstacles that pilgrims and Umrah performers may encounter,” the report stated.

The report also mentioned that the application is available in various versions tailored to meet the needs of pilgrims from diverse nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.

The report noted that the multilingual, multi-environment virtual reality application for teaching Haj and Umrah has received multiple national and regional awards for accurately reflecting the rituals’ geographical and chronological aspects and for aiding pilgrims and Umrah performers in overcoming obstacles.

In another development, the news agency reported that the Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched an initiative aimed at fostering the values of tolerance and moderation among pilgrims during the Haj season.

The initiative also seeks to promote advocacy with softness and wisdom.

The initiative, in collaboration w
ith the General Presidency of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, aims to counsel pilgrims and encourage them to follow the guidance of Prophet Mohammad.

It also endeavors to rectify any errors that may arise during the performance of rituals.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency