Abstract

The study aimed at identifying the reveal of the extent to which smart devices are used in Hajj, Umrah and visits operations. It also aimed at identifying the features that must be contained in the applications that are provided to pilgrims, or visitors while planning to perform Hajj, Umrah or visit, and what is the expected impact of this in light of the Corona pandemic. The researchers used the descriptive approach, the questionnaire was used as a tool for the study, and the study population included all employees working at the General Authority for the Holy Mosques in Mecca. A random sample was selected from the community, the sample amounted to (145) employees of the General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. One of the most important results of the study is that the majority of the study sample highly agree on the extent to which smart devices are used in the Hajj, Umrah and visit operations. Most of the visitors and pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques use applications (Umrah, Hajj Fatwas, and Rituals) to a large extent, which facilitates the process of organizing Umrah and visitation in light of the Corona pandemic. The results also showed that the majority of the study sample agreed with a very high degree on the advantages of using smart phone applications to issue Umrah and visit permits and their impact on limiting the spread of the Corona virus. Finally, the study recommended that it is necessary to work on solving technical problems while using the Hajj, Umrah and visit applications, and also recommended educating the pilgrims and the Tafweej offices of the importance of downloading these applications to facilitate the process of Hajj, Umrah and visits. The study also recommended increasing the production of educational guidance messages about Hajj, Umrah and crises, through applied programs specialized in serving the pilgrims.