Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Optimal Placement of Fixed and Mobile Primary Healthcare Centers During Hajj(University of Edinburgh, 2024-08) Alomari, Maram; Kalcsics, JorgThis dissertation explores the optimal placement of fixed and mobile primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) to serve pilgrims during the Hajj in Makkah, focusing specifically on the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat, and the transportation network connecting these areas. The immense influx of pilgrims places significant demands on the healthcare system, necessitating precise planning and management. To address this, we first define the geographical scope and key locations impacted by the event. We then employ an agent-based modeling approach integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to simulate pilgrim movements over the course of the Hajj. Subsequently, we analyze the capacities, costs, and operational parameters of both fixed (FPHCC) and mobile (MPHCC) primary healthcare centers. An integer programming model is formulated to determine the strategic placement and reallocation of these centers across 14 time periods, aiming to minimize setup, operational, and mobility costs associated with each type of center. Constraints include limited numbers of MPHCCs, restricted capacities, maximum allowable distances between demand points and PHCCs, and minimum coverage requirements. We then adjust key parameters such as maximum distance and minimum coverage to examine their impact on the solution and the resulting adjustments in PHCC locations. This analysis offers insights into how strategic healthcare deployment during Hajj can effectively meet the fluctuating demands of pilgrims, ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare coverage. The findings contribute to the broader field of healthcare logistics, particularly in the context of large-scale religious gatherings, providing a framework for improved healthcare readiness and response during similar events globally.26 0Item Restricted An Urban Management Framework for Crowd Movements in Hajj: A User-Centric Approach(University of Leeds, 2024-08) Kadi, Abdulrahman Omar; Selim, GehanThis thesis explores the complexities of urban management in the context of crowd movements during mega-events, with a particular focus on the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. The research aims to develop a user-centred management framework that enhances both crowd movement conditions and user experience, addressing the limitations of traditional top-down management approaches. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates theories from event management, crowd dynamics, and user experience, the study offers a novel perspective on managing large-scale gatherings, where the safety and satisfaction of participants are paramount. The research establishes the importance of urban management in facilitating effective crowd movements during mega-events, particularly addressing the unique challenges of Hajj, a religious event in Makkah that annually draws millions of pilgrims. The study identifies critical variables and correlations within urban management, event activities, and user experience, highlighting the need for a user-centric approach. The research examines urban management variables influencing crowd movements and analyses existing literature in order to identify gaps in the current understanding of crowd dynamics, particularly the formation and impact of collective behaviour during mass gatherings. A significant focus is placed on the pivotal role of user experience in shaping innovative crowd management strategies, employing tools such as User Journey Mapping (UJM) to dissect the collective experiences of pilgrims. The thesis further contextualises the study with a historical background of the Islamic pilgrimage, detailing the Holy Sites' rituals, circulation patterns, and significance. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies, to gather data during Hajj in 2021 and 2022. This data presents an in-depth analysis of crowd movement conditions during Hajj, identifying key challenges and proposing strategies to improve crowd control and user experience. The analysis from the user's perspective identifies touchpoints that influence crowd dynamics and underscores the importance of considering users' needs, expectations, and experiences in designing effective crowd management strategies. Moreover, the research introduces an urban management framework comprising three overarching themes: Event Management, Crowd Movement, and User Experience, each divided into sub-themes that collectively form a comprehensive approach to managing crowd movements during mega-events. The research synthesises these findings, relating them to the initial research questions and theoretical framework. It advocates for a user-centric strategy prioritising inclusivity, safety, and user satisfaction. It introduces the User-Centric Management Canvas (UCMC), a practical tool designed to guide event organisers in adopting this new approach. This framework offers a structured yet flexible method adaptable to various mega-event contexts. In conclusion, this thesis marks a significant contribution to urban management, providing a blueprint for future research and practical applications in crowd management. It sets the stage for a paradigm shift towards more empathetic and effective management of mega-events, potentially enhancing participants' safety and spiritual fulfilment at events like Hajj, with global applicability to other large-scale events.22 0Item Restricted How Shared Social Identity and Social Norms Shape Risk-Taking at Mass Gatherings(The University of Edinburgh, 2024-07-15) Alhajri, Waleed; Templeton, Anne; Moore, AdamMass gatherings have long been recognised as posing substantial public health risks. Prior research, primarily from a medical perspective, has often placed considerable emphasis on various physical risk factors associated with shaping health risks at mass gatherings. This mixed-method thesis, however, adopts a social identity perspective to investigate the ways in which psychosocial factors contribute to health risks associated with mass gatherings. Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive systematic review of the literature of risks at mass gatherings, with a primary focus on social norms associated with shaping risks at mass gatherings. Chapter 3 provides initial empirical evidence across three pre-registered imaginary-based online experiments of how shared social identity interacts with perceived social norms to increase the likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behaviours, such as resource-sharing associated with elevating infectious diseases transmissions at mass gatherings. Chapter 4, however, moves beyond quantitative methods, utilising in-depth semi-structured online interviews to explore shared Muslim identity processes among pilgrims in relation to health risks associated with the Hajj. Chapter 5 further explores shared Muslim identity processes among pilgrims, this time in relation to maintaining safety within the Hajj context. Together, findings from Chapters 2-5 offer empirical evidence of how social identity processes, specifically shared social identity and social norms, influence risk-taking behaviours associated with shaping health risks at mass gatherings. This mixed-method thesis also presents theoretical, methodological, and practical implications for building effective health risk mitigation strategies to reduce the burden of health risks and facilitate the safety and well-being of attendees at mass gatherings.36 0Item Restricted The Emerging Impacts of Tourism on the Economy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Study of Oil and Tourism.(The Aquila Digital Community, 2024-06-03) Abu Jabal, Dania; Raber, GeorgeSaudi Arabia was heavily dependent on oil, which caused an economic crisis due to the collapse of global oil prices. In 2016, the Saudi government launched Vision 2030 to diversify the Saudi economy and avoid dependence on oil revenues. One aim of Vision 2030 is to initiate numerous tourism initiatives to boost the tourism industry's economic impact, elevating its contribution from 3% of GDP to 10% by 2030. This paper provides the necessary assessment to understand tourism's role and contribution to the Saudi economy and to determine whether the industry's growth is on the right track. Also, this paper also evaluates tourism growth trends and revenue generation compared to oil and determines whether tourism revenues can sustainably replace or supplement oil revenues in Saudi Arabia's economy. Mixed methods, including time series analysis and a systematic qualitative literature review, were used to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the case study and its evaluation. Five main tourism variables are examined, including Pilgrims (Hajj), Business, Leisure, Food and beverage, and Traditional and Cultural sites. One of the most important conclusions is that tourism revenues can complement the significance of oil in the Saudi economy and enhance it sustainably, making it more resilient in the future. Many of the goals of Vision 2030 for tourism were achieved before 2030, which prompted the government to set higher goals. It was also evident from the data analysis that dependence on oil has decreased, and the rate of economic diversification and the contribution of tourism to the Saudi GDP has increased.31 0Item Restricted The United Kingdom Muslims' Perspectives Toward Tourism in Saudi Arabia After Hajj or Umrah(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-19) Alshamrani, Zuher; Hooper, NicolaMillions of pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia annually to perform the religious duties of 'Hajj and Umrah'. This research aims to explore the willingness of UK pilgrims to engage in tourism activities after Hajj or Umrah by examining the literature on tourism and public relations in Saudi Arabia. A survey was used to measure attitudes, while focus groups were used to explore these attitudes in greater depth. Data was collected from 109 UK Muslim participants, and the results indicated that most were subsequently willing to engage in tourism activities. Almost a quarter of the participants expressed that they have a moral or religious conflict when mixing Hajj or Umrah with tourism. Their main interests regarding tourism in Saudi Arabia are visiting Islamic landmarks and local cuisines, while their main concerns are hot weather and financial costs. The image they hold regarding tourism in Saudi Arabia is associated with religion, as it is the country that contains Islamic sanctities and offers nothing else. The majority of UK pilgrims lack awareness of the tourism opportunities in Saudi Arabia, and receive the information they do acquire from social media. Public relations can play a crucial role in enhancing the image of the Saudi tourism sector, addressing misconceptions, raising awareness of the available tourism opportunities, and developing mutual understanding with the target audiences. This can be achieved by considering pilgrims as the main stakeholder, adopting the Two-Way Symmetrical Model as a framework for communication, and applying a Change Model. This research provides an overview of UK Muslims’ perspectives towards the Saudi tourism sector and discusses the role of PR in promoting Saudi Arabia as an attractive destination. The research aims to help public relations practitioners in the Saudi tourism sector attract more tourists.21 0Item Restricted The Role of Hand Hygiene in the Prevention of Emerging Respiratory Tract Infections among Attendees of Religious Mass Gatherings in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-21) Hashim, Mahdi A; Rashid, HarunorHajj and Umrah pilgrimages in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) pose a high risk of transmission of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Hand hygiene (HH) is a fundamental infection control measure, but its preventive role against RTIs during mass gatherings (MGs) lacks focused research. Therefore, this PhD thesis aimed to assess knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding HH and its role in preventing viral RTIs among attendees of religious MGs in KSA during the COVID-19 pandemic while also exploring the burden and patterns of RTIs among pilgrims. Five observational studies and a pilot randomised control trial (RCT) were conducted between 2019 and 2021 among domestic Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Makkah and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque in Al Madinah, in addition to a systematised review study. The systematised review identified a high risk of RTIs during Hajj, regardless of pilgrims’ nationality. However, my studies found an overall low prevalence of RTIs among pilgrims during the pandemic, with even lower rates of possible COVID-19. Participants demonstrated moderate HH knowledge, with no apparent improvement during the pandemic. Yet, the majority of participants believed in HH methods' effectiveness against viruses like COVID-19. Compliance with HH practices was generally good, with handwashing with soap being the preferred method. However, no statistically significant difference in HH compliance rate or RTI rates was found between the intervention and control groups in our trial during the pandemic, suggesting inconclusive evidence of HH's protective role during Umrah. The trial successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a future large trial within the Umrah setting. Ongoing efforts to improve HH knowledge and compliance among pilgrims are essential, along with further research to refine preventive measures in MG contexts. These results have significant implications for global public health policy, not only in KSA but also in similar MG settings globally.23 0Item Restricted A Mixed-Methods Study to Investigate the Awareness by Pilgrims and the Saudi Authorities of Health Risks Arising From the Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-28) Almehmadi, Mater; David, AlexanderOne of the most important factors in developing preventative measures is awareness of health risks among public authorities and the public themselves. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020-2023 has exposed significant weaknesses in public health systems that need to be addressed, although research has so far been limited with respect to studies that have explored the perceptions of both the public and authorities about the uptake of preventative health measures. As it is the host of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia offers a good case study of the health management of one of the biggest mass gatherings in the world. Although the health strategy here usually involves an array of preventative measures, the uptake among pilgrims is extremely low. As a case study exploring the factors that determine uptake, the Hajj pilgrimage is approached in this dissertation using a mixed methodology for the collection of data from the officials of the Hajj and the individuals who participate in it. Some 280 participants were canvassed in the quantitative study. The findings are that 94% considered the Hajj to be safe and limited themselves to taking pre-travel advice on health, while 70% of the respondents reported the diversity of the pilgrims to be the main factor threatening health outcomes. Overall, the study reported a significant shortfall in pilgrims’ perception of the health risks associated with the Hajj pilgrimage. Qualitative research was then utilised to collect data from 17 Hajj officials, using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. The key themes that emerged in the analysis include, first, the safety of the Hajj as perceived by Saudi officials; secondly, in the face of health risks, how the safety of pilgrims is maintained by Saudi officials; thirdly, avoiding the health risks of the Hajj pilgrimage; fourthly holding training sessions for the Hajj workers; fifthly, the pilgrims’ awareness of health risks; sixthly, the education of pilgrims about health risk in their individual countries; and finally, the use of new technologies to raise the pilgrims’ awareness about health instructions and measure their satisfaction regarding the outcomes.21 0Item Restricted Collaborative planning for the environmental sustainability of the Hajj(2022) Abonomi, Abdullah; De Lacy, Terry; Pyke, JoanneEvery year, millions of Muslim worshippers visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, which is the fifth and last pillar of Islam. Mecca generally hosts more than 2,300,000 people from approximately 183 different countries and cultures every year. Tourism, especially a religious tourist attraction such as the Hajj, is expected to boost the economy and create new jobs for Saudi youth in the services sector. Despite the many benefits of pilgrimage, the Hajj itself has adverse environmental impacts. The activities of Hajj generate considerable solid and liquid waste, use large quantities of scarce freshwater and produce high levels of greenhouse gases. The government of Saudi Arabia has established many strategies and policies, such as a the ‘prepared meal project’, to reduce the impacts of the Hajj activities on environmental sustainability. However, these environmental strategies have not achieved their goals. For example, several hospitality agencies refused to collaborate on the prepared meal project for pilgrims established by the government to reduce waste. The wider literature demonstrates that the success of sustainability plans and projects in the tourism context requires collaboration between stakeholders from all sectors. This collaboration does not occur in the Hajj. The overarching aim of this research is to investigate how the environmental sustainability of the Hajj can be improved. The particular focus, however, is on how stakeholder collaboration in planning can be improved to achieve sustainability goals. This study applies Gray’s (1989) collaborative planning model to investigate the nature of the collaboration process between Hajj stakeholders and identify the drivers that will support collaboration. This model establishes a three-phase planning process necessary to successfully achieve stakeholder collaboration and the strategic goals. To achieve the aim, this research employed a qualitative methodology to investigate the nature of collaboration between Hajj stakeholders and the drivers that induce their collaboration while planning for environmental sustainability of the Hajj. Both primary data and secondary data were used. A qualitative approach was adopted and specific methods used included unstructured and semi-structured interviews. Interviewees were selected to be representatives of public and private sector stakeholders, and interviews were conducted in a face-to-face setting at a time and location convenient to them. The qualitative analysis program ATLAS was used to analyse the data and define the themes. Research findings identified many barriers to collaboration between Hajj stakeholders at each stage of Gray’s (1989) collaboration model. Centralised governance, poor leadership and a lack of adequate resources in the planning process created obstacles to the achievement of environmental sustainability in the destination. The results show that the level of collaboration between stakeholders in the Hajj is fragile and requires significant improvement. Thus, from an analysis of findings, ways to improve the collaborative network between Hajj stakeholders when planning for protecting the environmental sustainability of the destination are explored. This study contributes to theory by applying Gray’s (1989) model to a new and unique context, thereby revealing barriers and drivers to effective planning and the implementation of environmental policy and strategy. The study reveals opportunities for improvement and future research. The practical contribution of the study is that it can inform policymakers of the importance of changing their traditional approach in the planning process, especially because the government of Saudi Arabia has made a commitment to environmental sustainability, as detailed in the national document Vision 2030. In addition, the results may guide Hajj stakeholders from all sectors to understand the barriers and drivers that affect the development of collaboration. Thus, they may review and re-establish their collaborative network for the Hajj planning process.37 0