Statistics Description: Domestic pilgrims counting process. Hajj statistics Summary: This product is mainly concerned with counting all domestic pilgrims . The General Authority for Statistics (GAStat), making use use of its centers deployed at the entrances of the Holy City of Makkah, shall take responsibility for counting KSA domestic pilgrims as per their nationalities. As for international pilgrims, the General Department of Passports (GDP) shall be tasked with counting them through its staffers stationed at all land, sea and air entry ports.

Hajj Statistics Methodologies Hajj statistics are currently prepared using several sources, some of them are prepared by GAStat, while the others are prepared by departments, such as the General Department of Passports (GDP). An explanation for each method used in statistics preparation is detailed below:

Domestic pilgrims statistics

GAStat staff deployed at the six centers of Hajj statistics, which were set up at the entry ports of Makkah, will be responsible for counting pilgrims entering Makkah for Hajj purposes each year as of Dhul-Hijjah1st. Counting shall be carried out by a group of researchers, who will be tasked with entering data of each vehicle carrying domestic pilgrims, including the vehicle type and the number of pilgrims on board classified by their gender and nationality. In doing so, researchers shall use tablets during their working days. The researchers shall also prepare and submit daily reports on the number of pilgrims, classified by their gender and nationality, to the main center, where such reports will be reviewed and tabulated according to the center and the date of entry. Later, such reports will be published within the Hajj Statistics Bulletin. Overseas pilgrims statistics

The General Department of Passports, through its staffers deployed at the land, sea and air entry ports, shall be responsible for counting pilgrims entering the Kingdom for Hajj purposes and entering their data into computers. This process shall be of great benefit in case of following up the deportation of pilgrims or the closure of entry ports. On Dhul-Hijjah 8th, the Department shall provide the GAStat with two lists; one classifying pilgrims according to their gender and the way of entry, while the other classifies them according to their gender and date of entry.

Hajj statistics centers

The GAStat shall establish these centers for carrying out Hajj statistics. They are classified, as per the nature of work assigned to each, into main centers and supportive centers. Except for the main center located in the heart of Makkah, all other main centers exist at the entrances of Makkah, surrounding them from all directions. Still, supportive centers are meant to provide support for some centers suffering from traffic congestion due to the huge number of pilgrim-carrying vehicles. Hereunder is more information about the main and supportive centers of Hajj statistics.

First: Main centers

In addition to the main center established in the heart of Makkah, there are six more main centers surrounding the city of Makkah and they are all located at its entrances. These centers shall be used to count pilgrims and they include:

Makkah- This center, located on the Makkah- highway, is considered 1 Jeddah the main crossing for pilgrims coming from Jeddah. Therefore, it is - Highway reckoned the largest and most important of all center. Center

2 Makkah- It is located on the Makkah-Jeddah Old Road. It can be used an alternative crossing for pilgrims coming from Jeddah. - Jeddah Old Center Al- It lies on the road between Madinah and Makkah. This center is used 3 Taneem to survey pilgrims coming from Madinah and nearby villages, as well - center as pilgrims who visited Madinah before performing Hajj rituals. Al- It is located on the road between Makkah and Taif through Al-Sayl 4 Sharae' Road. Pilgrims who crossed the Riyadh-Makkah road shall be - Center countedat this center.

5 Al-Karr It lies on the road between Makkah and Taif through Al-Hada Road. - Center This center is used to count pilgrims coming from Taif and nearby villages, as well as Assir and Al-Baha. Al- It is located on Al-Leith-Jazan Road near Al-Sa'diya village. 6 Janoub Overland pilgrims coming from Jazan region or other coastal regions - center shall be counted at this center.

Second: Supporting Centers

Several supportive centers have been set up for the purpose of counting pilgrims in Jeddah, Taif and Madinah, including:

They are meant to support the main center located on the Jeddah 1 Makkah-Jeddah highway, especially on the peak days, namely Supportive - Dhul-Hijjah 7th, 8th and 9th. Such centers are distributed at the Centers King Abdulaziz Airport, Public Transport Station and Bab (Makkah Gate) parking lots, along with other sites in Jeddah. This center, located in Abyar Ali town, is meant to support Al- Taneem Main Center. It is a (stated place) of for pilgrims coming from Madinah. In terms of importance, this center 2 comes second after Jeddah Supportive Center. For the purpose Abyar Ali - of counting all pilgrims coming from Madinah, employees of this center shall be distributed into two groups; one of them shall be present at Abyar Ali region, while the another will be stationed on the highway between Madinah and Makkah near the passport site. 3 Al-Sayl This center, located in al-Sayl al-Kabir village, is meant to support - Center al-Sharae' Center. It is a Miqat of Ihram for pilgrims coming from the Eastern Region through Al-Hawiyah Road and Al-Sayl Road. Wadi This center is meant to support Al-Karr Center. It is located in Al- 4 Mehrim Hada City, a Miqat of Ihram for pilgrims coming to Makkah from - Center Taif and nearby regions. Al- This center is meant to support Al-Karr Center. It is located on the 5 Husseiniya road linking Makkah, the Ring Road and Al-Husseiniya - Center Neighborhood.

Data Processing

Carrying out Hajj statistics is one of the most important fieldworks assumed by GAStat annually. It is worth mentioning here that the process of collecting, and processing data as well as issuing and distributing results is finalized in a period of no more than 10 days. As part of its ongoing endeavors to develop this survey and keep pace with the latest developments in this fieldwork, GAStat, represented by the National Computer Center, shall be responsible for:

 Preparing servers for the Hajj project;  Creating Hajj databases.  Providing researchers with tablets, and heads of centers and the project management with laptops;  Developing and updating systems of data collection using tablets at all main and supportive centers in a manner that helps improve the speed and quality of data;  Developing a system for reviewing data and issuing daily reports and the Annual Hajj Bulletin;  Designing analytical interfaces and indicators, including fixed and flexible reports, graphs, interactive forms, maps, time series and computer-based tables;  Integrating with GAStat administrative systems with regard to the nomination of employees, issuance of cards, periodic reports, etc.  Developing a system to facilitate maintenance services between centers and the Public Service Department.

How to Make Use of Hajj Statistics Results: 1- Complete all future plans meant to provide the relevant authorities with accurate data on the number of pilgrims in order to help them render social , health, security , food and transportation services to pilgrims; 2- Estimate the number of manpower needed to serve pilgrims and maintain their safety and comfort during each year's Hajj season; 3- Brief the bodies concerned with preparing supplies and basic facilities in Makkah and other Holy Sites on the number of pilgrims and their data, and take this into account when preparing plans; 4- Provide accurate information and data about Hajj statistics for researchers, students and beneficiaries concerned with this domain; 5- Use data about the number of pilgrims to evaluate activities and events carried out by bodies concerned with serving pilgrims; and 6- Identify entry ports for domestic and international pilgrims.