The platform educates visitors on performing rituals according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in an interactive format
Updated 18 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched an awareness platform on its website, offering 180 educational topics for pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.
The platform educates visitors on performing rituals according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in an interactive format, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It focuses on essential topics, addresses pilgrims’ needs and enhances their spiritual journey at Islam’s holiest sites, the SPA added.
The platform includes 580 minutes of videos, 365 presentations and 220 educational designs. It is organized into four learning tracks and 12 educational journeys for a comprehensive experience.
Content is available in eight languages, including English, French, Persian, Indonesian and Hausa, the SPA reported.
The platform allows users to progress through learning stages in a structured way, with progress statistics to motivate further learning. It can be accessed at learn.haj.gov.sa.
Makkah’s urban shift enhances the city’s quality of life
By harmonizing its religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah is proving that a city can honor its past while vigorously embracing the future, offering a holistic experience that nourishes both the soul and community
Updated 4 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: Islam’s holiest city is currently witnessing a qualitative urban shift, one that seamlessly blends its profound spiritual sanctity with a modern, vibrant lifestyle. By integrating cultural, educational, and entertainment initiatives, Makkah is redefining the visitor experience and significantly enhancing the quality of life for its residents, directly supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The city’s transformation was recently highlighted by the success of the Makkah winter season. The event attracted approximately 400,000 visitors — over 60% of whom were locals — demonstrating a strong domestic demand for high-quality public spaces. The season revitalized community interaction, driving a 35% increase in visits to recreational sites and creating more than 1,200 temporary jobs for the local workforce.
Central to this urban renaissance is the Hira Cultural District. Since opening its doors in January 2023 near the historic Mount Hira, the district has become a definitive landmark that bridges Islamic history with contemporary identity.
Makkah’s Hira Cultural District has become a definitive landmark that bridges Islamic history with contemporary identity. (SPA photo)
Far from being a static monument, the district has cultivated a thriving creative economy. Its craftsmanship program, which features over 100 artisans, has generated up to SAR 3 million in sales and attracted 130,000 visitors to live workshops. These interactive spaces allow visitors to engage directly with the region’s heritage, moving beyond passive observation to active participation.
A living legacy
The shift extends to Makkah’s broader ecosystem of museums and cultural sites, which are now positioned as key pillars of cultural tourism. Facilities like the Revelation Exhibition use cutting-edge technology and multilingual content to narrate the story of the Holy Quran’s revelation, offering an immersive experience that complements the spiritual journey of pilgrims.
These efforts align with the “Makkah: A Living Legacy” campaign, which seeks to document the city’s historical narrative and preserve its collective memory. Recent months have seen a surge in educational workshops for university students and tour guides, ensuring that the human element of Makkah’s history is conveyed with accuracy and depth.
City’s transformation recently highlighted by the success of the Makkah winter season. (SPA photo)
Economic and social impact
The results of this integrated approach are tangible. Specialized museums and restored historic sites now attract up to 1.6 million annual visitors. Crucially, this cultural enrichment is encouraging pilgrims to linger longer, increasing the average duration of stay by 18%.
By harmonizing its religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah is proving that a city can honor its past while vigorously embracing the future, offering a holistic experience that nourishes both the soul and the community.
