A workshop was organized by King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), Riyadh, and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, to prepare a comprehensive encyclopedia of Haj pilgrims and pilgrimage from South Asian countries.
Speaking to Arab News, the organizers said on Tuesday that the workshop was organized in Jamia Millia last week in collaboration with the King Abdul Aziz foundation in which 32 prominent scholars, academics and researchers from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives, participated.
All of them are experts on past and present Haj management from their countries, and they strongly felt the need to compile the information and bring it out in the form of a comprehensive encyclopedia.
Earlier, Jamia was identified as the nodal agency from South Asian countries to coordinate the compilation of this encyclopedia in an agreement signed more than a year ago by its Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung and the King Abdul Aziz Foundation.
The Indian contingent of Haj pilgrims remained the largest till the partition of India in 1947 with the separation of Pakistan. Even today India sends the second largest number of pilgrims to perform Haj after Indonesia.
A senior professor at Jamia’s Islamic studies center, in an e-mail reply to Arab News, said: “A lot of material on Indian pilgrims’ journeys to Makkah Mukarramah and Madina Munawwarah is scattered over different parts of the Indian sub-continent and other countries of South Asia in the form of travelogues, details of Haj endowments, systems of transportations, medical facilities for Hajis and their departure and arrival arrangements since ages. It will be properly documented now.”
Founded in 1972 by a royal decree to serve the history of the Kingdom, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Arab and Islamic world, Darah is managed by a board of directors chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.
Popularly known as Darah, the foundation manages the historical sources, makes it available for researchers and publishes specialized versions besides running several centers including the Makkah center, the Madinah research and studies center, royal family’s history documenting center and Arab Gulf and East of the Arabian Peninsula history center in Dammam.
Darah, Jamia project to compile data on South Asia Haj pilgrims
Darah, Jamia project to compile data on South Asia Haj pilgrims
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
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.
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.
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.
