With the 2024 Hajj expected to begin June 14, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah released the Nusuk card by presenting its copy to Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 30, during his official visit to Indonesia.
The Nusuk pilgrim card is a new initiative by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to streamline the Hajj pilgrimage process for 2024 and onwards. It acts as an official identification card for pilgrims, and offers several benefits including:
- Easier movement around the holy sites
- Access to various services through the Nusuk and Tawakkalna apps
- Verification of pilgrim identity for Hajj workers
- Reduced instances of unauthorized individuals performing Hajj
The card comes in two formats: physical and digital. The physical card is distributed to pilgrims through their respective Hajj missions or authorized service providers. A digital version of the card can be obtained by scanning the QR code on the physical card and following the instructions within the Nusuk or Tawakkalna apps.
The introduction of the Nusuk card is part of a wider effort by the Saudi government to leverage technology to improve the Hajj experience for pilgrims.
According to a report in the Saudi Gazette:
“The ministry indicated that the card provides a wide range of services for the pilgrims. The most important of these services is proving the identity of the pilgrim in front of the relevant authorities and enabling them to verify his data for the purpose of making available the best possible services. It will also provide key information such as the pilgrim’s personal data, address and health records, linked to a smartphone application.”
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah urged pilgrims coming from within Saudi Arabia and abroad to obtain the card before their arrival at the Holy Sites. The foreign and domestic pilgrims are obliged to carry the card during their travel and movements throughout the Hajj period from the time of their arrival until their departure. The ministry emphasized that the card is mandatory for entry and travel within the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah as well as for their movement between the Holy Sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.“
