Ministry of Hajj and Umrah · Press Release · Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah · 2026
Published:
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched the "Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah" challenge to open opportunities for innovators, designers, developers, and specialized entities to present innovative, actionable concepts that enhance personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, thereby improving the pilgrim experience and elevating safety and comfort levels during movement.
At a glance
- Issuing authority
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU)
- Scope
- A press release from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announcing the "Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah" challenge to develop personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons
What it requires
| Who | Obligation |
|---|---|
| Innovators, designers, developers, and specialized entities | Present innovative, actionable concepts that enhance personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons |
| Challenge participants | Register and participate in the challenge through a five-stage process: registration, introductory workshops, prototype development, model submission, and evaluation and judging |
Get the daily brief
One email each working morning with the Saudi regulatory issuances that matter, in Arabic and English.
What is the "Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah" challenge launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah?
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the "Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah" challenge on August 4, 2026, to open opportunities for innovators, designers, developers, and specialized entities to present innovative, actionable concepts that enhance personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, thereby improving the pilgrim experience and elevating safety and comfort levels during movement.
What objectives does the challenge aim to achieve in developing personal umbrellas?
The Ministry explained that the challenge is part of its ongoing efforts to enrich the pilgrim experience by creating practical solutions tailored to the needs of Hajj and Umrah performers, aiming to provide protection from direct sunlight, improve ease of use, increase safety levels, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure product sustainability.
What specifications must the prototype developed under the challenge meet?
The challenge targets the development of a practical prototype for an innovative umbrella that is lightweight, easy to carry and operate, and provides high protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. The design must withstand climate conditions and high crowd density while reflecting the visual identity of the Holy Sites, with the capacity for large-scale production and operation during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
What are the participation stages in the challenge and how are winning designs selected?
The participation process comprises five stages: registering and reviewing the challenge objectives and evaluation criteria, attending introductory workshops, developing the prototype, submitting the models, and concluding with the evaluation and judging phase. Winning designs are selected based on criteria including user experience, safety and crowd management, design quality and sustainability, innovation, and feasibility and applicability.
How can innovators register and participate in the challenge?
The Ministry reaffirmed that the challenge focuses on achieving practical, implementable solutions that improve umbrella usability, reduce heat exhaustion during movement, and support smooth traffic flow in high-density areas, in addition to unifying the visual identity of umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Registration and participation in the challenge are available via the link.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Innovating the Best Umbrella for the Guests of Allah" challenge?
A challenge launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on August 4, 2026, to open opportunities for innovators, designers, developers, and specialized entities to present innovative, actionable concepts that enhance personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Who can participate in the challenge?
The challenge targets innovators, designers, developers, and specialized entities seeking to present innovative, actionable concepts for developing personal umbrellas used during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
How many stages does participation in the challenge involve?
Participation comprises five stages: registering and reviewing the challenge objectives and evaluation criteria, attending introductory workshops, developing the prototype, submitting the models, and the evaluation and judging phase.
What criteria are used to select winning designs in the challenge?
Winning designs are selected based on criteria including user experience, safety and crowd management, design quality and sustainability, innovation, and feasibility and applicability.
Issuances referenced
Related briefings
Official sources
Some official pages open only in a browser and may be unavailable from time to time.