December 10, 2004

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES INSTITUTE FOR HAJJ RESEARCH CONTINUES ITS STUDIES, RESEARCHES AND PROGRAMMES TO SERVE THE GUESTS OF GOD. DOZENS OF SPECIALIZED GRADUATES FROM THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF THE INSTITUTE TO SERVE THE PILGRIMS AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO ALL THEIR PROBLEMS. The Umm Al-Qura University was founded in 1979 (1399/1400 AH) and accorded university status in 1981-1982 (1401-1402 AH), had on its register more than 15,000 students in the year 1994 (1414 AH), of whom more than 7,700 were female. By 1999, the number of students had reached 20,600. Originally, this institution included Colleges of Shari'ah and Education and an institute to teach Arabic language to non-Arabs, all of which functioned as branches of the King Abdul Aziz University. Later Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Arabic Language, Applied Sciences and Engineering, Da'wa and Usul El-Din, Education (in Taif) and Social Sciences were opened. A number of scientific centers are affiliated to the colleges of this University (for example, the Educational and Psychological Research Center, the Hajj Research Center, the International Center for Islamic Education, the Scientific and Engineering Research Center and the Scientific Research and Islamic Heritage Rejuvenation Center). In addition, the Umm Al-Qura University co-operates with a number of foreign universities and other academic institutions through scientific exchange and scholarships. The University was named after the Holy City in which it is located. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al Mukkaramah is unique, as it is sepcialized in studies, researches and programmes pertaining to Hajj affairs and pilgrims. The Institute is also concerned with the development of services provided to pilgrims and their realization according to scientific plans through discussions, studies, data collection of all matters relating to Hajj and pilgrims, reviewing reports of the concerned authorities, while making use of their positive facts and finding the right solutions for the problems mentioned in them. The Institute has started as a research center at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, then it was moved to Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al Mukkaramah to study Hajj problems, the services that could be provided to it, discover the obstacles facing those who work in this field and finding proper scientific solutions to these problems. The center started as a research unit in 1392H, its activities and efforts its first years concentrated on gathering information and collecting detailed data on the various areas of Hajj, the services provided to the pilgrims, and the public utilities related to it, to form a general picture on the situation and develop its positive sides while find solutions to the problems. This is based on the endeavour of the leadership, who has been honoured by God the Almighty to serve the Two Holy Mosques and those who come to this Holy land, to mobilize all the apparatus of the state and its human resources to serve the guests of God and facilitate the rituals of the pilgrims and those who perform Umrah. In 1401H the Council of Ministers endorsed a resolution to transform the Hajj Research Center to a specialized Institute, which would provide advise to the Higher Committee For Hajj and to other authorities concerned with Hajj, under the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research. The Institutes' aim is to establish a data bank on Hajj that would constitute a comprehensive reference including statistics, facts and a computer simulation system to all the rituals of Hajj which would assist in the planning of appropriate programmes. The Institute also aims to build a complete historic reference including studies, documents, pictures, films, maps, historical manuscripts about the pilgrimage, Makkah Al Mukkaramah and Al Madina Al Munawarah so that it would serve to preserve the environment in the Holy places and conserve the Islamic features in Makkah Al Mukkaramah and Al Madina Al Munawarah. The Institute is under the supervision of Umm Al-Qura University. There is also a Higher Supervision Committee under the Chairmanship of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz the Minister of Interior and the Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hajj that supervises the Institute and endorses its research programmes. The Committee includes between its members the Ministers of Education and Hajj and the Dean of Umm Al-Qura University. The Committee has provided the Institute with strong support in its scientific research field in co-operation with all concerned authorities in the field of Hajj and its services. The Committee has convened a number of meetings in which it discussed matters relating to the development of the Institute and took step towards reaching this target. Amongst these steps were providing the same opportunities to the graduates of the Institute as those provided to universities graduates in the fields of employment, post graduate studies abroad, promotions and other universities systems. The Committee has also acknowledged the Institute as a main reference for studies and research relating to Hajj and the Holy places, so it was recognized as the main holder of photographs of the Haram Mosque, the Mosque of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him, and the Holy sites. The Committee has also supported the role of the Institute by approving its administrative development, its frame of work, and by urging the governmental economic sector and the private sector to participate in the expansion of economic research and studies in a way that will provide more profits and the best services. The Institute undertakes its researches and studies and offers its advises all year round, while its activities reach their peak during the Holy month of Ramadan and in the Hajj season, when the members work round the clock and the Institute mobilizes all its power, human and functional resources in field research and gathering live data. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research at Umm Al-Qura University is unique in the world as it serves a unique event and gathering of people. It research aims are different from those in other research institutes as the Institute is concerned with Hajj, the Holy sites and the Two Holy cities. Researches of the Institute are known to be difficult as they concentrate on gathering information, studying different sorts of people, languages and behaviour in a very short period of time which last for just few days. As an advisory research area the Institute offers its recommendations to different areas. Lately the Institute has started its plans to provide studies and consultations for financial returns which would help its development, the renovation of its equipment, and the realization of its future aims. Atop of that the Institute receives unlimited support from the government under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, his entrusted Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General whose endeavour is to provide the Institute with all supports that would assist it in realizing its targets. On the other hand the Institute is keen to develop the qualifications of its employees while providing them with specialized training in their fields, for that reason the Institute has sent more than 30 of its employees in specialized missions for vocational training abroad. Since its establishment and until 1419H the Institute completed 400 researches and studies all of them dealing with pilgrims, visitors of the Holy sites and those who perform Umrah, through offering clear views and scientific concepts in order to provide the best possible services. The members of the Institute were also keen to establish a permanent exhibition which includes many photographs of the projects and achievements, and also models, graphics and statistics about the works of the Institute. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research at Umm Al-Qura University consists of a number of research department amongst which are the following: The department of Human Administrative Research: which is concerned with researches in the fields of cultural and human factors of the pilgrims, the history of the Holy sites and the aspects of Hajj and Umrah over the different eras in order to gather an historical record and offer recommendations to serve the pilgrims and preserve the historical legacy of the Holy sites. The Unit of Cultural, Geographical and Historical Research: which is concerned with researches in the history of Hajj, Umrah, the Holy places as well as the culture of the guest of Gods and the geography and natural characteristics of the Holy sites. The Unit of Social and Psychological Researches: This unit is concerned with researches in all social and psychological fields regarding the guests of God, those who serves them and getting to know their requirements, aspirations and how they are met. The Unit of Rituals Research: This unit is concerned with researches in the field of Hajj and Umrah rituals and ways of facilitating them for pilgrims according to the Islamic Sharia. The Unit of Administrative Research and Crisis Control: This unit is concerned with researches in ways of reaching practical ways and systems and developing services and amenities during the Hajj and Umrah season and also ways of controlling crisis. The Unit of Economic and Tourisitic Researches: This unit is concerned with researches in the economic field pertaining to Hajj and Umrah, and ways of developing them and developing the services provided to the guests of God. It also researches ways of benefiting from the facilities provided by the Tourism industry. The Unit of Environmental and Health Research: which is concerned with researches in the environment of the pilgrims and providing the best healthy environment for them, while studying ways of conserving the environment in the Holy sites. The Unit of Climate and Water Research: This unit gathers detailed information on the climate of the Holy sites and researches ways of improving the environment, guaranteeing the cleanliness of potable water and the best ways of treating wasted water. The Unit of Biological Researches: This unit measures the levels of microbes in the Holy sites and studies ways of preventing them. The Unit of Chemical Researches: This unit makes chemical tests in order to know the chemical problems and ways of preventing them. The Unit of Physical Researches: This unit studies the physical factors affecting the Hajj and Umrah environment and ways of benefiting from the natural physical factors to improve the surrounding of the pilgrims. The Unit of Health Researches: This unit is concerned with the health of the guest of God and the impact of exhaustion from which they suffer. The unit studies the risks the pilgrims are subject to, ways of preventing them as well as ways of preventing and controlling epidemics. A Unit for making the best use of the slaughtered animals, conserving their meats and getting rid in the best possible healthy ways of carcasses. The Unit for Architectural and Engineering Researches: This unit studies ways of developing the structural environment, improving the amenities for the pilgrims during their stay. The Unit for Planning Studies: this unit gathers data in the field of amenities and services planning. The Unit for Housing Amenities: this unit studies housing and ways of improving it, and finds ways to improve the amenities, services and maintenance in the housing field. Lately the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj Research undertook new studies. The acting Rector of Umm Al-Qura University, Dr Nasser Ibn Abdullah Al Salih, has welcomed the plan of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the Institute for Hajj Research which outlines over 26 studies and research proposals as well as nine scientific programmes on environment, health, traffic, transport and information. The studies focus on the Umrah, the Grand Mosque, the transport and logistics of Umrah performers, the health environment, food and beverages, as well as safety and security.