Ashraqat Company for Mutawifs of Arab Countries Pilgrims has won five awards at the conclusion of the 5th Hajj and Umrah Services Conference & Exhibition (Hajj Expo 2025), which recently concluded at the Jeddah Superdome. Ashraqat received the "Mubdi'oon (Innovators)" award in the Basic Services category for its "Thon Catering Challenge" initiative, and was also honored as a Strategic Success Partner of the exhibition. Meanwhile, Ashraqat's executive arm, "Rihlat Wa Manafi Co.'", won three awards: the "Mubdi'oon" award in the Digital Services Ecosystem category for its artificial intelligence initiatives, the first-place "Tawasul (Communication)" award for the Spatial Awareness Track, and second place in the Digital Awareness Track. Dr. Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, presented the Excellence Award to Mohammed bin Hassan Ma'ajini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ashraqat Co., in the presence of board members and the company's CEO. Mohammed Al-Tayeb Al-Khuzami, CEO of Rihlat Wa Manafi', received the three awards on behalf of his team during the exhibition's closing ceremony. The event also witnessed the announcement that "Ikram Al-Dayf Co.", Ashraqat's executive arm for hospitality services, has won two prestigious international awards: "Best Hajj and Umrah Service Provider 2025" and "Most Innovative Hajj Tourism and Hospitality Services 2025" from the global International Finance Magazine (IFC Awards). As the exhibition's Strategic Partner, Ashraqat — through its three executive arms Ikram Al-Dayf, Rihlat Wa Manafi', and Ruwad Ashraqat — signed agreements with 13 Hajj affairs offices and one tourism company, in addition to concluding 60 marketing agreements for direct Hajj services that will serve approximately 150,000 pilgrims during the upcoming 1447 AH (2026) Hajj season. Ashraqat's pavilion, the largest at the exhibition, welcomed more than 30,000 visitors and was staffed by over 200 employees from the company and its three executive arms to introduce services, initiatives, and assist guests. Ashraqat and its arms — Ikram Al-Dayf, Rihlat Wa Manafi', and Ruwad Ashraqat — signed nearly 50 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements with government service entities to enhance service quality and efficiency. They also conducted more than 40 workshops and over 200 meetings and discussions with Hajj affairs offices and other stakeholders in the Hajj sector. In its pavilion Ashraqat showcased numerous innovative initiatives and developmental projects aimed at elevating the experience of the Guests of Allah. Among the highlights was the launch of the "Empowerment of Workers Serving the Guests of Allah" initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, represented by the Licensing and Training Center for Workers Serving the Guests of Allah, in the presence of Dr. Amro Al-Maddah, Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Services. The pavilion also witnessed the signing of an investment partnership with Integral Company, represented by Dr. Saad Al-Thuwaimer and in the presence of board members and legal advisor Yassin Khayyat. Additional activities included the launch of the new issue of Al-Nusk magazine and the announcement of winners of the "CateringThon Challenge," who were given their own dedicated space where the final round was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and in the presence of the Minister of Haj & Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. The " Ikram Al-Dayf " corner witnessed the launch of the Ikram digital platform and the announcement of the winners of the Ikram Excellence Award for hospitality centers. The second edition of the award was also launched, along with the presentation of the "Be With Us," "Your Idea," and "Expectation and Reality" awareness initiatives. Additionally, " Ikram Al-Dayf " launched a workshop on attracting talent to the Hajj job market, integrating the Ministry of Hajj's strategy, the Guests of Allah program, and the objectives of the Human Capacity Development program. Mohammed bin Hassan Ma'ajini, Chairman of the Board, expressed his delight at receiving five awards and honors from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, describing them as a continuation of Ashraqat's excellence and the fruit of the entire team's efforts. He emphasized that participation in this international event was intended to highlight the achievements of Ashraqat and its three executive arms, showcase future initiatives that leverage modern technologies and artificial intelligence to develop Hajj and Umrah services in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and announce upcoming projects covering all aspects of the pilgrim's journey. These include training workshops for seasonal workers, recognition of success partners, honoring winners of the CateringThon Challenge, and launching multiple initiatives to further enhance services for the Guests of Allah. Hajj Expo 2025 is the world's largest event of its kind, bringing together thought leaders and change-makers from Islamic countries and specialized entities to present innovations and initiatives that improve the pilgrim experience and elevate the overall Hajj and Umrah ecosystem, thereby supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 To develop the Hajj and Umrah sector and enhance its global competitiveness.
