Nineteen Million and Counting: Al-Rawda Al-Sharif Sees Surge in Visitors Over Two Years
More than 19 million visitors have visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharif in Madinah over the past two years, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, disclosed during the opening of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in the holy city. The three day forum brings together officials, experts and stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the experience of Umrah performers and visitors to the holy sites, featuring dialogue sessions, specialised workshops, an artificial intelligence competition focused on Umrah services and a hackathon dedicated to historical sites linked to the life of Prophet Muhammad. Al-Rabiah said the focus on artificial intelligence and innovation reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued effort to use modern technology to improve religious tourism and manage the growing number of visitors to Madinah. Al-Rawda Al-Sharif, located within the Prophet’s Mosque, remains one of the most significant sites visited by Muslims performing Umrah and those visiting the holy city, with the latest figures underscoring the scale of religious visitation and the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and visitor services. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed
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