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The annual hajj that brings greater than 2 million pilgrims to Saudi Arabia’s Mecca has been drastically scaled again this yr due to the coronavirus pandemic, however digital software program builders are hoping to let Muslims expertise what it’s like to worship on the metropolis’s holy websites from distant.
Social-distancing measures by the Saudi authorities to battle the brand new coronavirus imply only a limited number of pilgrims already within the nation can take part when this yr’s hajj begins July 28. The choice is a blow for these hoping to fulfill their once-in-a-lifetime obligation to carry out hajj in 2020.
Some see the information as a boon for digital hajj software program, however some Muslims query whether or not holy pilgrimages may be replicated just about.
“Unfortunately, tech acceptance in the Islamic world has been a bit slower than our ambitions, with the result that specific segments of the population are unable to see the future benefit that virtual hajj can provide,” mentioned Mohammed Alsherebi, founding father of Centillion Inc., a firm that advises firms increasing within the Middle East. “By focusing only on the inconvenience of the present moment, many of us are unable to see the incredible opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
Even with out the pandemic, a huge variety of Muslims can’t journey to Mecca for monetary or medical causes. Virtual hajj expertise would allow them to see inside the town for the primary time, Mr. Alsherebi mentioned.
One firm, iUmrah.World, developed an app to let Muslims just about make the Mecca pilgrimage of umrah, which may be undertaken at any time of the yr, is shorter than the six-day hajj dedication and is non-obligatory for Muslims. Saudi Arabia suspended umrah in February.
The iUmrah.World app lets customers discover and pay for proxies in Saudi Arabia who underneath Islamic legislation can full umrah on their behalf, mentioned founder and Chief Executive Ahmed Alhaddad. The proxies stay stream their journeys and the duties they full in Mecca to iUmrah prospects.
“It’s an Uber-like model,” mentioned Mr. Alhaddad. “Traditionally, if you couldn’t travel to Mecca, you would ask around your own contacts until you have someone who could go for you. We’re putting technology behind that and letting people actually see their pilgrimage being performed.”
Mr. Alhaddad mentioned subsequent yr he hopes to launch a related product referred to as iHajj, which might use 5G expertise to live-stream all through the hajj, an improve from the 4G it makes use of now to stream one to three hours of umrah on any given day.
The Muslim Council of Britain mentioned it’s usually accepted that a digital hajj isn’t the identical as performing hajj in individual.
Ali Shihabi, an writer and commentator on Middle Eastern politics and economics, mentioned pilgrims are meant to endure the discomfort of journey and meet different Muslims in Mecca, neither of which is feasible “if you’re sitting in your living room with your Apple computer.”
The many guidelines linked to the ritual acts of hajj—such as carrying the prescribed garments and never trimming nails in the course of the pilgrimage—are as essential as the journey itself, mentioned Jonathan A.J. Wilson, a professor of brand name technique and tradition at Regent’s University in London who traveled to Mecca for umrah in 2009.
“It’s a bit like a [virtual-reality] swimming experience: It could never match really swimming in the sea,” he mentioned.
Virtual hajj expertise may nonetheless have a place, Mr. Wilson mentioned. It may present a non secular increase to Muslims who need to really feel nearer to God, and provide non-Muslims a look inside a place they aren’t allowed to enter bodily, he mentioned.
The expertise can also put together individuals for the actual factor.
Muslim 3D, a videogame being developed in Germany by Bigitec GmbH, permits customers to discover locations of Muslim worship in a three-dimensional simulation and rehearse hajj as avatars whereas studying in regards to the historical past and objective of its rituals, amongst different demonstrations of religion.
“It can become very chaotic when you go to Mecca, and you don’t want to do something wrong while you’re there as your hajj might become invalid,” mentioned Bigitec co-founder Bilal Chbib.
Labbaik VR Ltd. equally designed a virtual-reality-based coaching software for Muslim pilgrims. With nobody outdoors Saudi Arabia touring to carry out hajj this yr, nevertheless, the corporate has shifted its focus to a new product, WUZU, which lets individuals discover a 3-D re-creation of Mecca on their smartphones, mentioned undertaking director Adnan Maqbool.
“We don’t believe there can be a substitute to an in-person hajj experience,” mentioned Mr. Maqbool. “However, if we can bring some measure of spiritual and emotional peace to Muslims world-wide during these tough times, then we will have met our goals.”
Mr. Alhaddad, the iUmrah.World chief govt, mentioned he’s assured that a digital hajj or umrah will at some point be thought of as reputable as the actual factor. The firm, which Mr. Alhaddad hopes to take public in 2022, can be creating an iVatican product.
“Yes, it’s better to go yourself,” mentioned Mr. Alhaddad. “But can you get the same experience or fulfillment by watching a pilgrimage being performed? Yes, I believe you can.”
Write to Katie Deighton at [email protected]
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