The Hajj and Sacrifice Project: 900,000 pilgrims sign contracts for the Hajj season
Engineer Siraj Al-Filali affirmed that the Hajj and Udhiyah (sacrifice) project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent government initiatives providing direct and invaluable services to pilgrims during the Hajj season. This pioneering national project plays a pivotal and essential role in implementing the Hajj rituals in accordance with the strictest Sharia, health, and veterinary regulations, ensuring the safety of all procedures and the smooth and easy fulfillment of the ritual's objectives. Al-Filali explained that the electronic portal and approved channels continue to receive a high volume of pilgrim applications, with the number of pilgrims who have contracted to perform the rituals approaching 900,000 so far, and this number is expected to continue rising as Eid al-Adha approaches.
The roots and development of the Hajj and sacrifice project in the Kingdom
was not of the Hajj sacrificial animal project a sudden occurrence, but rather the culmination of a long history of care and attention given by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serving pilgrims. The project was established in 1983 (1403 AH) with the primary objective of organizing the slaughter of sacrificial animals during the Hajj season and eliminating the haphazard practices that resulted in the waste of enormous quantities of meat and environmental pollution in the holy sites. Since its inception, the Islamic Development Bank has managed the project in cooperation with Saudi government agencies, and over the decades it has transformed into a global model for crowd and resource management, achieving a qualitative leap in how this great ritual is performed in a civilized and sustainable manner.
Advanced operational system and huge human resources
The project relies on seven massive operational facilities that operate at full capacity only during the days of Eid al-Adha and the days of Tashreeq. These complexes are equipped with the latest operational technologies to accommodate the millions of pilgrims and the limited time allotted for performing the rituals. These vital facilities are managed by a fully integrated and qualified workforce of approximately 20,000 individuals, whose roles range from butchers and laborers to supervisors and administrators, in addition to specialized security, health, and veterinary teams, to ensure that the slaughtering is completed within the prescribed time and to the highest quality standards.
Human dimensions and regional and international impact of the project
The project's significance extends far beyond the holy sites, leaving a profound humanitarian and economic impact at both the regional and international levels. It boasts an advanced refrigeration and freezing system, along with state-of-the-art technologies for cutting, packaging, and packing meat, ensuring its preservation under optimal conditions. The distribution of this meat is not limited to the poor of the Holy Mosque in Mecca and those in need within the Kingdom; rather, this generosity extends to shipping and distributing millions of carcasses annually to those in need in over 27 Arab and Islamic countries worldwide. This international impact reinforces the values of Islamic solidarity and contributes to alleviating the suffering of the needy and refugees across the globe, reflecting the Kingdom's bright humanitarian image.
Harnessing technology for the comfort of pilgrims
Performing the ritual sacrifice (Hadi) is a crucial step in the pilgrim's release from the state of Ihram and the completion of the remaining Hajj rites, making this process highly sensitive and of paramount importance. To ensure the pilgrims' peace of mind, the project has developed various technological means to notify them immediately upon completion of their ritual. These methods include sending SMS messages directly to pilgrims' mobile phones, whether local or international. The message contains precise details, including the voucher or coupon number, and specifies the date and time of the ritual. This enables the pilgrims to gradually release themselves from Ihram and complete their Hajj rites with ease and tranquility, thus demonstrating the Kingdom's success in integrating modern technology to serve religious rites.
