THE general presidency of Harmain launched a mobile phone application, Nusuk, a few years ago for pilgrims visiting Makkah and Madina. I am in Madina currently, and have been facing complications while applying for prayers in the Riazul Jannah section.

After successful completion of the process, I was notified that two hours before the designated time on the desig- nated day, a bar code would appear on my phone screen that would facilitate my entry into the secluded area.

However, as I got closer to the specified time when I was supposed to receive the bar code, the application stopped working. Frustrated, I visited the relevant office immediately to have the issue resolved. Amid all this fuss, the slotted time expired. As I subsequently found, I was not the only one who faced the problem. There were many, mostly the elderly in my hotel, who lost their chance to perform prayers in Riazul Jannah.

Besides, there are many people who do not know how to operate mobile phones. How can they operate the app?

The authorities concerned should allow visitors on the basis of their visa number, and put a computerised stamp on their visa once they have visited the sacred sites. In fact, using the application is quite difficult for most visitors regardless of age.

Mazhar Yousuf Ansari
Madina, Saudi Arabia

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024