Sky News, Saudi Arabia promises to fix hajj booking system as British pilgrims are left without flights and visas "Saudi Arabia has promised to secure alternative flights for pilgrims journeying ...

The infographics are effective, but don't include the Motawif issue(!): Al Jazeera, Infographic: When are Hajj and Eid al-Adha?

Seán McLoughlin, Middle East Eye, Hajj: How a new Saudi-run travel agency failed western 'guests of God' discussing the ongoing Motawif #hajj issues. "Western pilgrims report numerous flaws in new Hajj portal intended to maximise profits ...

haramainsharifain.com, 'Hajj 2022: The Failed launch of Motawif', Hajj 2022: The Failed Launch Of Motawif "..., since the launch of the platform over two weeks ago, several applicants shared their grievances regarding the platform on social networking websites." ...

ABC News, Australian Muslims 'devastated' by Saudi Arabia's new Hajj pilgrimage lottery "Lottery systems exist in Muslim-majority countries to cope with population and religious demands, and they are government run.

"But ...

The National, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces online draw results for pilgrimage, 15 June 2022 "The Ministry said more than 297,444 applications have been submitted in the electronic draw for ...

Arab News, ID card to help visitors at the Two Holy Mosques launched "The presidency confirmed on Sunday that the card also contains interactive maps, noting that the agency was keen to provide all services using the latest technologies in order to help visitors to the Two Holy Mosques “perform their rites ...

Social distancing has eased in Mecca, as represented in the photographs below, where the distancing stickers have been removed from the precincts. This gives the impression of normalising the pilgrimage situation for umrah and hajj. No doubt the authorities will continue to follow this closely. It's interesting to see how social media is being ...

Arab News, British-Pakistani filmmaker’s documentaries offer viewers rare glimpses into Islam’s holiest sites "An acclaimed British-Pakistani filmmaker, Abrar Hussain, who has produced documentaries on the Grand Mosque of Makkah and Al-Aqsa Mosque, has told Arab News that his films aim to counter anti-Islamic ...

Arab News, Tech competition to improve Hajj, Umrah services opens registration "This year, the forum will be held under the slogan “Digital Transformation in the Hajj, Umrah and Visit System.” Dr. Turki Al-Amr, dean of the institute, told Arab News that Hajjathon is a tech competition that brings together ...

Asharq al-Awsat, Hajj, Umrah Ministry Exempts Immunized with Approved Vaccines from Quarantine

"As for whether new restrictions would be put in place to face the Omicron variant, the Ministry affirmed that measures ...

A selection of articles on tech and hajj/umrah:

Asharq Al-Awsat, Smart Cards, ‘Green Holy Sites’ Initiative, Robots Serving Pilgrims during Hajj 2021

"As the pilgrims flocked to Makkah, they were ...

Holy Mosques Twitter feed

@holymosques is covering many aspects of this year's hajj. Interesting to view the different phases on social media. I have written ...

BBC discusses the representation of hajj through technology on their Click programme

Arab News, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah sends text messages to 20 percent of registered pilgrims

"The ministry selected Friday midnight as the deadline for the completion of the registration procedures for people aged between 51 and 65 years old. People of this age group received text messages ...

It's a bit of a geek zone in Mecca, with some choice new tech on display, as highlighted in these posts from Haramain Sharifain:

Nano-ihram technology. #Islam https://t.co/hSYfhMpGbJ

— ...

Asharq al-Awsat, Saudi Arabia Prepares for Ramadan, 2021 Haj Season Planning

“The technological programs have contributed to facilitate the performance of rituals in a professional and orderly manner, as well as to follow ...

A big question for 2021 #hajj2021 https://t.co/JfgwfqVD4u

— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) January ...