
Saudi Hajj minister, Mobily sign cooperation agreement to enhance digital experience
RIYADH: The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and Mobily's CEO Nezar Banabeela have signed a cooperation agreement in Riyadh to enhance the digital experience for pilgrims and visitors to the Kingdom.
Mobily is to assess digital infrastructure solutions to elevate service quality and enrich the overall digital experience of pilgrims and visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The partnership reflects the ministry's commitment to engaging the private sector in delivering services that facilitate a smooth Hajj and Umrah experience.
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A printed catalogue written by the curators will also be available, offering further context in the form of essays, research material and images of water infrastructure and sabeels from across the Middle East and North Africa region. Saudi Arabia is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. Only 2.5 percent of the world's water is freshwater, and even less is accessible for drinking. The Kingdom is the largest producer of desalinated water globally, supplying over 60 percent of its potable water, according to the Saudi Pavilion team's research. 'We thought (the sabeel) was a perfect anecdote to describe the attitude and the general principle behind this concept of water as a human right and not as a luxury,' Jamal said. 'It's free drinking water, but it's from a private source. So we felt it really encompassed this specific phenomenon in Saudi, of paying it forward and offering water to people who don't have access to it.' With 'Good Water,' the Saudi National Pavilion puts this scarcity — and the labor behind everyday hydration — center stage. 'Our research was about water and access to water,' Jamal added. 'When we were first conceptualizing the piece for the London Biennale, we were looking at the infrastructure and water and access and what's the hidden cost of free water in Saudi — and specifically looking at the object(ive) of a sabeel: What does this act of generosity and act of making water into a human right mean, and what is the hidden cost of that?' Though the widespread distribution of plastic bottles has displaced the sabeel to some extent, Jamal emphasized its enduring relevance, especially in a country with scorching summers and large outdoor workforces. 'I think people are on the go, so they need something convenient, but I think water bottles haven't killed off sabeels completely,' he said. 'A lot of the workforce in Saudi, who have more direct contact under the sun and the streets — they still use it all the time. It's not just drinking water — it's cold drinking water, and in Saudi that's very important.' Jamal joked that after nearly a year of working on this project, the team would raise a glass of water in celebration. The pavilion will be open until June 29 at Somerset House.