Technical Team Discusses Standard Specification Draft for Solar Umbrellas for Pilgrims 

SASO's technical team for textile discussed the draft of issuing a new Saudi standard specification for solar umbrellas for pilgrims, with the participation of a number of specialists in the Principality of Makkah Region; the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research; and Haji and Mu'tamer's Gift (Hadiyah).

The standard specification draft included the conditions that must be met in umbrellas in general; the standard in terms of field, general requirements, technical requirements, and safety requirements. The standard also included examination, test methods, sampling and data labels. Furthermore, it has an additional annex for the requirements that must be met in umbrellas distributed to pilgrims and Umrah performers free of charge.

The technical team stressed on the importance that the annex for pilgrims' umbrellas includes all safety requirements such as resistance to ultraviolet radiation, fire resistance, and a sun protection factor. Umbrellas should have no sharp or pointed parts, and their sizes should be suitable for Hajj and Umrah.

The technical team recommended that the Department of Textile, at SASO, prepares the draft of solar umbrellas in cooperation with the Principality of Makkah Region; the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research; and Haji and Mu'tamer's Gift (Hadiyah), to be discussed at future meetings.

This came during a meeting of the Textile Committee, which was held at the headquarters of SASO on Wednesday, Dhu Al-Qa'da 5th,1439 AH, corresponding to  July 18th, 2018, in the presence of Dr. Othman bin Bakr Qazzaz, Head of the Research and Studies Department of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research; Mr. Marwan Samir Jamal, Director of the Projects for “Hajj is Worship and Civilized Behavior” Campaign; Mr. Sa'ad Al-Hatem, the Director of Textile Department; Eng. Hussein Ahmad, a specialist at the Textile Department; Mr. Abdulkarim Al-Khurayyef, the Technical Team Secretary; in addition to the chairman and members of the technical team.