Fahd Al-Manaee Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The head of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Center for Haj and Umrah Research's scientific committee told Saudi Gazette that the committee has received 106 research papers for the center's 13th forum next month. The forum will be held under the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said Fadel Othman. Some of the research papers have been approved while others were conditionally approved pending the meeting of certain conditions. For the first time, a scientific record will be published this year of all the research papers. All research papers go through phases of vetting and approval by a committee. Two arbitrators participate in reviewing the papers. One arbitrator is from the Haj and Umrah section of the center while the other is independent. There are certain standards that govern the research papers, including that they must deal with Makkah, Madinah, the holy sites and Ramadan and Haj seasons. The research also has to be requested and funded by a government body. He said international organizations have begun asking for these research papers, especially those dealing with crowd control. Crowd control issues include traffic movement on the roads, the ritual of circling of the Holy Ka'aba (tawaf) and movement between the holy sites. The center shares its expertise with government bodies and the private sector when asked. There is a unified forum for reviewing the research papers, which cover 50 categories. These include administrative and humane studies, environmental and health studies, engineering studies, information technology studies and awareness studies. Some research papers were submitted by women. The forum is a scientific occasion where specialists and officials meet to discuss the latest research findings and recommendations. The center also tries to attract specialists from universities to participate in these discussions.
