Technology is ruling the 21st century. Mobile phones, computers, and robots have made our lives easier than ever. Considering this modern advancement, the Saudi state is also helping pilgrims with technology. But have you ever thought about how technology can transform these traditional and religious practices? Can these modern innovations boost the spiritual value of Umrah that Muslims have been performing for centuries? Let’s find out how tech is reshaping the Umrah experience for countless global pilgrims.
For the past 14 centuries Muslims have been undertaking pilgrimage either in the form of Hajj or Umrah. This profound trip has always involved extensive preparation and challenging travel logistics. However, the latest technology is solving these issues and offering more comfortable Umrah, without affecting the true essence of the sacred rites.
How the Saudi State is Simplifying Umrah with High-Tech?
Working on different areas of Umrah, the state has come up with the following technological advancements to boost your experience:
Online Visa Processing
To simplify the visa process, the Saudi state has launched e-visas. Now you don’t need to stand in long queues and deal with bulk paperwork. Just apply online, track your request, and get the visa at your doorstep. This shift not only saves time but also ensures the transparency of the process.
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps have become a vital tool for modern pilgrims to get real-time updates about crowds, hotels, prayer times, and other aspects. These apps offer navigation within the holy sites, helping you find eateries, rooms, medical aid, and other services. Equipped with Augmented Reality (AR), some of these apps offer 3D guides to ensure the accuracy of your sacred trip. A few of these apps are:
Nusuk App
It provides real-time data on crowds, prayer times, weather, and detailed maps of holy sites. Just with a few clicks on the app, you can get your visa and book hotels and other basic services.
Eatmarna
Whether you perform Umrah in December, Ramadan, or other peak times, this app can help you get the best of all services. Built with user-friendly features, language support, and real-time updating features, you can board a more informed Umrah trip with this app.
Al-Maqsad
Offering real-time indoor navigation, step-by-step directions, and location-based notices, this app can help you find prayer and ablution areas, and entry and exit gates. With unique in-built features, it can help authorities handle crowd flow, mainly during peak seasons, such as Umrah in December or Ramadan and provide historical and religious insights about the Holy Kaaba.
Muslim Pro
This app can help you find the prayer times, Qibla, a Hijri chart, and an audio Quran. Besides featuring a Zakat calculator, mosque, and hotel finder, it can also tell you about Sehr and Iftar times during Ramadan
Careem
Known for countless registered vehicles, this app can help you move between hotels, airports, and other sites. It can also deliver food and other products to your doorsteps.
Wearable Tools for Health and Safety
Your health and safety are vital during Umrah. Wearable tools, such as smart wristbands, check body signs and provide timely medical aid if needed. These tools can track heart rates, stress, and hydration levels. With them, you can also find calm places to rest. During COVID-19, this tech helped in imposing social distancing and monitoring health measures.
VR Tech for Spiritual Well-Being
VR apps take you on a 3D trip to the sacred sites. No doubt, nothing can replace the physical presence in the Holy Kaaba, this tech only ensures that people are well-prepared for the actual trip. With it, you can learn the Umrah rites and get to know about the layout of holy places. This can help you reduce stress and perform a well-informed Umrah.
Online Learning Programs
Today, Umrah education is more accessible than ever. Websites, webinars, and online courses offer details of the Umrah rites, and the religious value of holy sites. With this readily available data, you can perform a well-informed Umrah with more understanding and devotion. The following are some of the famous apps in this regard:
Udemy
This online course offers video lessons on all aspects of the Umrah trip, such as Umrah rites, Sunnah acts, and laws for men and women.
Zamzam
It ofers detailed guidance on the Umrah rites, such as the steps of Ihram, Tawaf, Sai, and Halq. Thus, people can easily learn the correct way of performing these rites and ensure the accuracy of their Umrah trip.
Active Booking
Travel agencies have harnessed tech to offer online booking systems. Now you can easily book flights, hotels, or vehicles from the comfort of your home. With online apps providing reviews, ratings, and hotel descriptions, you can take informed steps. Some sites also offer bundle deals, covering lodgings, visa processes, and guided tours to offer you a stress-free Umrah trip.
Crowd Handling
Handling crowds in Makkah, mainly during Umrah in Ramadan or December, is a great challenge. To address this major issue, the state has launched advanced AI-powered tools, that help to disperse the crowd. Smart cameras and sensors offer real-time data on crowd thickness, helping the state make crowd-handling measures. This tech not only prevents saturation but also ensures a smoother pilgrim flow at the holy sites.
How Social Media Can Boost Your Umrah Experience?
In this digital age, social media serves as an effective communication tool. Being a pilgrim, you can share your experience online by posting photos on Facebook, Instagram, or any other site. You can also stay in touch with your loved ones with apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and many more. These platforms also serve as a vital source of information, where you can join groups or forums to share tips, ask questions, and get support from fellows.
What is the Future of Umrah with High-Tech?
With progress in AI, ML, and IoT, we can expect more tailored Umrah in the future. AI can offer customer support, while IoT tools can provide real-time updates on crowds, weather, and other vital factors. Block chain technology is also ready to make changes in the financial aspects of Umrah. With it, you can securely transact money for charity and zakat. It will also simplify all other financial dealings linked with your trip.
Indeed, with digitalization, Umrah is being transformed exceptionally. The online apps are not just for ease, they are enablers, supporting more people to undergo Umrah trips with greater comfort and safety. By solving travel issues, boosting spiritual well-being, and offering real-time support, the high-tech is ensuring a more fulfilling Umrah for all.
As we look to the future of this sacred rite, it seems brighter as compared to the past. Browse through the website of Muslims Holy Travel, a renowned travel agency, and get the best deals to perform Umrah in modern times. Hurry up! more enriching journey is awaiting you.