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- Saudi authorities have announced plans to test 鈥榝lying taxis and drones鈥� during this year鈥檚 Hajj season
- Pakistan鈥檚 religious affairs ministry says the kingdom has consistently increased its use of technology
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 religious affairs ministry on Saturday applauded 抖阴短视频 for using advanced technology to improve the pilgrimage experience for Muslims, the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported, after the kingdom announced its plan to test 鈥渇lying taxis and drones鈥� during this Hajj season.
Saudi Minister for Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser spoke earlier this week about intense competition among transportation companies in the kingdom to provide the best traveling means to people. Previously, he also said the flying taxis and drones would be tested during Hajj to provide pilgrims with maximum comfort.
According to some reports, the Saudi Airlines was also considering plans to operate flying taxis to ferry Hajj pilgrims from the Jeddah airport to their hotels in Makkah.
鈥湺兑醵淌悠碘�檚 commitment to modernizing the pilgrimage experience through innovative technology demonstrates their dedication to ensuring pilgrims鈥� comfort and convenience,鈥� Muhammad Umar, the spokesperson for Pakistan鈥檚 religious affairs ministry, said.
Umar, who has remained closely involved in his country鈥檚 Hajj operations since 2009, also mentioned how the Saudi authorities had introduced various mobile applications to help pilgrims.
鈥淚 have witnessed firsthand the dedication and efforts of the Saudi government in facilitating the sacred journey of millions of pilgrims,鈥� he added.
He also highlighted significant improvements in crowd management and the provision of enhanced facilities to pilgrims by Saudi authorities over the years.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.