Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted The Challenges and Opportunities in Organisational Arrangements for Disaster Preparedness during Hajj(Coventry, 2025) ALdwsari, Mater; shibani, AbdualssalmPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the challenges and opportunities in the organisational arrangements for disaster preparedness during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. This paper explores the complexities of managing disaster risks during this mass gathering event, focusing on operational frameworks, stakeholder coordination, and the integration of modern technologies. Design/methodology/approach – This research was undertaken from a secondary approach and analysed existing literature, government reports, and past incident case studies for Hajj. It evaluated inter-agency coordination, health preparedness, and technology use for the management of risks and how disasters could possibly improve response during the pilgrimage period. Findings – The major challenges that really come forth comprise but are not restricted to the following: poor inter-institutional co-operation; very little application of some digital technologies; and impeding the rich social and cultural diversity regarding the stakeholders under consideration. On the contrary, available opportunities would include the following areas: better disaster simulation, improvement in public health strategies, and efficient crowd control and emergency response operations by using technology. Practical implications – The report presented some recommendations on enhancing organizational arrangements for disaster preparedness during Hajj. It includes creating a centralized command structure, investing in integrating technology, offering cultural competency training for stakeholdersin more disaster simulation exercises to boost operational readiness. Originality/value – This working paper uniquely reflects the study of preparedness for disaster in the Hajj pilgrimage in operational management challenges as well as opportunities for improvements. Findings and recommendations are useful for other large-event management and disaster preparedness exercises across the world.43 0Item Restricted i Exploring Preparedness and Adaptive Capacity for Disaster Management during Hajj in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia(University of Tasmania, 2025) Althagafi, Ibrahim; Lindsay Smith, Dale Edward , Pieter Van DamAlthough the number of deaths from natural disasters has decreased over the years due to factors such as early warning systems and risk reduction, the losses from such disasters have not reduced and are still unequal across different regions. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is particularly vulnerable to natural and human made disasters, and faces additional risks related to the Hajj, one of the largest religious events in the world. This event is very important in the Islamic faith and millions of people attend it every year, increasing the chances of crowd-related disasters, health complications, and the pressure on the health care systems. Hajj as a mass gathering event with participants from different parts of the world presents numerous public health issues such as infectious diseases transmission and care of the chronically ill in the context of physical and environmental stressors of the pilgrimage. These dynamics call for proper disaster management measures that are suitable for religious mass gatherings given that such events are frequent in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study is to examine disaster preparedness and adaptive capacity during Hajj in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia, and to assess the strategies and the knowledge, skills, and preparedness of the healthcare providers for disaster management. It outlines the organisational and contextual factors that determine preparedness and looks at how the sociodemographic factors influence the preparedness of the healthcare providers, administrators and the pilgrims. The bioecological theory of human development underpins the study, integrating the Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model's dimensions of individual characteristics (person), dynamic strategies (process), sociocultural and organisational environments (context), and time factors (time). It will explore the roles and interactions of these elements that help formulate a disaster resilience framework addressing the specific needs of similar large-scale religious gatherings. Employing a mixed-methods case study approach design this study integrates quantitative data from a survey of 161 healthcare providers with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews of six healthcare providers, five health administrators, and five pilgrims/community members. This data is analysed using SPSS and NVivo software. The results reveal varying knowledge, skills, confidence, and implementation strategies. In terms of knowledge, which included understanding disaster, familiarity with disaster preparedness procedures, and management, 45.3% of participants demonstrated a high level of understanding. Skills, assessed through technical skills, soft skills, and experience in mass gatherings, revealed that 44.1% of healthcare providers possessed high disaster management skills. Confidence in disaster preparedness was notably high, with 54.4% of providers expressing strong confidence in managing disasters during Hajj. Implementation, which encompassed viii viii infrastructure readiness, healthcare facilities and resources, emergency response and coordination, risk assessment and mitigation, and monitoring and evaluation, saw 55% of providers displaying a high level of knowledge in implementing disaster preparedness measures. Challenges identified included language barriers, conflicting stakeholder roles, logistical issues, staff shortages, and extreme heat. However, opportunities for gaining disaster management skills, leadership experience, practical training application, and improved team collaboration enhanced overall preparedness and resilience. The religious aspect of Hajj preparation significantly motivated healthcare providers, many of whom view their work as a form of worship and charity, seeking spiritual rewards through their service. Applying the PPCT model to Hajj disaster preparedness highlighted the roles of individual characteristics, continuous learning, unique ecological challenges, and historical factors, underscoring a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness. Additionally, insights from the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2022 conference resonated with the study's findings, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to building resilience. This connection emphasizes the need to integrate the global approaches and best practices in disaster risk reduction into the Hajj context. However, there are some areas of knowledge and skills that needed further development; suggesting the need for enhanced training, better coordination between agencies, and a more holistic approach to disaster management in terms of individual and organizational resilience. The study recommends that there should be better training in crowd control, disaster management and cultural sensitivity for the healthcare workers. It underlines the importance of improving the healthcare system in Makkah City and cooperation between different agencies; including the command center and integrated health strategies. Measures that include awareness campaigns for pilgrims, disaster preparedness through early warning systems, emergency plans and drills are also emphasized. Additionally, the study recommends the use of technology in the delivery of healthcare services such as electronic health records and telemedicine; and the alignment of strategies with the PPCT model which includes person-centered training, process improvement, contextualization, and time-sensitive planning and evaluation.30 0Item 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.29 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.65 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.38 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.32 0Item Restricted UTILIZING MULTI-CULTURAL CRISIS COMMUNICATION TO MANAGE THE HAJJ(Wayne State University, 2018-08-02) Aljahel, Khalid; McCormick, PatriciaEvery year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is host to over 2 million Muslims from countries around the world who come for the Hajj Pilgrimage, one of the largest multicultural/multilingual gatherings in the world. Over the past 20 years KSA has experienced a number of crisis events during Hajj which have led to the death of numerous pilgrims and thousands of injuries. To decrease the likelihood of a crisis occurring, KSA has undertaken extensive renovation projects to its infrastructure and put considerable efforts into its crisis response strategies. This research employs a qualitative research methodology, which combines unstructured interviews with 10 Hajj officials with scholarly sources and news media, to examine KSA crisis communication following the crane collapse and stampede, both of which took place during the Hajj in 2015. The research concludes with recommendations for improving crisis communication during the Hajj.44 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.22 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.25 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 0