Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Launches Movie In Partnership with General Authority for Awqaf and SAUDIA Group

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched an awareness film titled “Journey of a Lifetime”, in a strategic partnership with the General Authority for Awqaf and cooperation of the SAUDIA Group, and several government entities. It comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to educate pilgrims coming from all around the world to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. 

 The twelve-minute film has been translated to nine languages and presents a series of educational stories that were filmed over a span of a 7-week period in more than 14 locations. More than 800 actors participated in the making of the film to address topics of high interest to pilgrims, including all of the steps that pilgrims take while performing their rituals. The film will be included in SAUDIA’s inflight entertainment system, where guests can enjoy more than 5,000 hours of movies, TV shows, E-books, shopping and weather reports.

Prince Sultan Aviation Academy, a subsidiary of SAUDIA Group, hosted the premiere of "Journey of a Lifetime", under the patronage of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah, the Director General of SAUDIA Group, His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar. The screening was also attended by the Governor of the General Authority for Awqaf, His Excellency Mr. Emad bin Saleh Al-Kharashi, and a number of leaders and employees from entities that participated in this work.

Following the screening, Director of the General Department of Media and Corporate Communication, and the Director of the General Department of Awareness at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Turki bin Abdulrahman Al-Khalaf, explained that the film, which is produced by the Ministry, will be shown on SAUDIA flights under the newly added Hajj and Umrah channel. The film provides a set of educational directives and clarifications about acceptable behavior in a number of places, such as: airports, Al-Haramain Express train stations, Holy sites, and inside the Two Holy Mosques and in its courtyards.”

 Al-Khalaf referred to the various educational efforts provided by the Ministry to pilgrims through several digital platforms, which included the issuance of 13 educational guides in 14 languages, in addition to informative videos, which exceed more than 30 video clips. He explained that these works provide an educational dose on a number of procedures relating to religion, health and other matters of interest to pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia.  

 The General Manager of Communication and Media Affairs of SAUDIA Group, Engr. Abdullah Alshahrani, said: “We are proud to be hosting the premiere of "Journey of a Lifetime", which reflects the government’s commitment to making pilgrims’ journeys as smooth as possible by providing best-in-class services and facilities.

 “SAUDIA Group is honored to facilitate this journey through providing world-class air transport and logistical services. SAUDIA Group is currently working with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to establish the “Hajj and Umrah” channel as part of the in-flight entertainment system, where “Journey of a Lifetime” film will be included.”

 The entities that contributed to facilitating the production of the film included: the General Authority for Awqaf, SAUDIA Group, the General Directorate of Passports, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Saudi Railways, Jeddah Airports Company, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University.