7 million text messages in 5 languages set for pilgrims

(MENAFN- Arab News) MAKKAH: The Secretariat of the Holy Capital has begun sending short text messages to generate awareness among pilgrims about the municipal services available to them during Haj. More than seven million text messages in five different languages are expected to be sent throughout the Haj season according to an online newspaper.
The source said that that these messages would be sent gradually in phases to create awareness among the pilgrims about the various phases of Haj and in order to inform them of how to perform Haj in the right way. Osama Al-Bar secretary of the Holy Capital said that this step was one of the many positive steps taken by the Holy Capital to communicate with pilgrims of various nationalities directly in their languages. He said that this would help to make the services provided to the pilgrims more accessible and inviting. Al-Bar further said that the idea of the text messaging program stemmed from the secretariat's eagerness to use all available means to help pilgrims in their worship in mutual cooperation with the services of the municipality. Dr. Sameer Tawakul deputy secretary of the Holy Capital for Public Relations said that these text messages would be sent over ten days and would contain messages and photos intended to generate awareness about the importance of proper Haj practices.