KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia has launched a new identity card for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, known as the Nusuk card, set for mandatory use in the forthcoming annual pilgrimage of Haj this year.
The launch of the card marks the latest series of innovations introduced by the Saudi Arabian government as part of continuous efforts to provide facilities and comfort to Haj pilgrims.
The Nusuk card aims to enhance the efficiency of the operations during the Haj season to facilitate the pilgrimage and reduce the number of individuals performing Haj illegally.
It is designed to be automatically readable and facilitate Haj workers in identifying and verifying the identity of each pilgrim, helping to prevent unauthorised individuals from entering the Holy Land (of Makkah) and thereby protecting the safety of the pilgrims.
The country's Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah released the Nusuk card by presenting a copy to Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in Jakarta during his official visit to Indonesia on April 30, the Saudi Gazette reported.
Al-Rabiah and Yaqut discussed the final preparations and ways to streamline services for the pilgrims of Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country which is sending the largest-ever contingent of 241000 pilgrims for this year's Haj.
During the visit, the minister met with senior Indonesian officials, heads of Hajj service providing companies and investors to review the available opportunities that raise the quality and standard of facilities and services for the guests of God.
The ministry revealed that the card is available in digital and physical (print) formats. The print copy of the card will be delivered to pilgrims through their respective Haj missions or Haj service providing companies and establishments with which the pilgrims have concluded contracts to perform the pilgrimage.
The digital copy can be accessed through the pilgrim's account on the Nusuk and Tawakkalna applications.
Pilgrims must scan the QR code on the printed card, and then follow the instructions that lead to obtaining the digital version of the card.