Smart apps and e-payment bolster safety levels for the faithful
With over 27,000 strategically stationed buses across various regions, including King Abdul Aziz Airport, pilgrims will experience efficient transportation, especially to Mecca.SPA file
Cairo: Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims in Makkah are advised against using unlicensed transportation during their presence in the Saudi holy city while performing the Umrah or minor pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest.
The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia recommended the pilgrims to board licensed means of transport to ascertain convenience and safety and avoid potential legal problems or security risks.
The state agency stressed the need to use reliable public transportation such as buses and accredited taxis that carry clear signs with the name of the driver and the operating company and are subject to strict supervision by the relevant authorities.
Furthermore, the pilgrims are recommended to opt for smart apps that allow for safe and transparent taxi orders. Such apps enable the customer to view drivers’ ratings to ensure a quality service.
Gearing up to cope with influx of pilgrims
The agency has also underlined the importance of using electronic payment methods instead of cash, saying they boost safety levels and reduce risks during transportation.
The current season of Umrah, which can be undertaken around the year, began in late June after the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi authorities are ramping up preparations for coping with an expected influx of pilgrims during the upcoming holy lunar month of Ramadan when the Umrah season usually peaks.
The main rituals of the Umrah are encircling the Holy Kaaba for seven times known as Tawaf, and likewise walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah, a rite called Sa’i, in the Grand Mosque.
Source: gulfnews
