logo
Saudia unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', a high-tech Hajj & Umrah innovation

Saudia unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', a high-tech Hajj & Umrah innovation

Biz Bahrain22-04-2025
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia – on World Creativity and Innovation Day – unveils 'The Coolest Ihram', the world's first high-tech garment designed to cool the body while performing the Islamic rituals of Hajj and Umrah. This pioneering product – developed in partnership with Landor and brrr®, will make its debut during the Arabian Travel Market 2025 (ATM) in Dubai, positioning Saudia at the forefront of Hajj & Umrah innovation.
Envisioned by Saudia, created by Landor and brought to life by leading U.S. cooling fabric company brrr®, the Coolest Ihram, 'The Coolest Ihram' uses patented cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying to lower your skin temperature by 1-2°C depending on environment and individual metabolic rate. Along with UPF 50+ sun protection, this lab-tested, athletic-grade technology creates a cool personal microclimate for each pilgrim, while adhering to the Islamic principles of Ihram for both men and women.
The launch comes at a pivotal time, as the Kingdom prepares for Hajj this summer while mobilizing efforts to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage season. As the leading Hajj & Umrah carrier, Saudia aims to set a new benchmark in religious tourism, adding to its commitment of supporting the Kingdom's targets of six million Hajj pilgrims and 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030.
Essam Akhonbay, VP Marketing at Saudia, said: 'At Saudia, we are committed to continuous innovation across all aspects of aviation. Our goal is to enhance the travel experience for every guest. 'The Coolest Ihram' exemplifies our dedication to pioneering advancements that ensure comfort and focus on what truly matters during their journey.'
Offering Landor's perspective, Luc Speisser, Global Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, said: 'We saw an opportunity not only to elevate Saudia's brand internationally, but to do it in a meaningful way, making a positive difference to passengers, during the journey of a lifetime. As a brand, Saudia promises innovation, and with the 'Coolest Ihram', they're putting that promise into practice.'
Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of brrr®, said: 'We were incredibly excited to partner with Landor and Saudia on this project, because we knew the difference it would make to pilgrims, in one of the most important moments of their lives. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to build new relationships and break new ground, while demonstrating the performance power of our fabrics.'
The 'Coolest Ihram' will be available to Saudia guests beginning of June 2025, with further details to be announced soon.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ahli United Bank Wins Prestigious Awards
Ahli United Bank Wins Prestigious Awards

Daily Tribune

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Tribune

Ahli United Bank Wins Prestigious Awards

Ahli United Bank, the largest Islamic financial service provider in Bahrain, said it was recognized at MEED's MENA Banking Excellence Corporate Investment Awards as the 2025 winner of the Best Islamic Bank in Bahrain and Best for Supply Chain Finance awards. The awards acknowledge AUB's contribution to the banking sector and its unwavering commitment to excellence through outstanding performance, delivering innovative product offerings, and dedication to meeting the evolving needs of clients in the Islamic banking sector. Commenting on the awards, Dr. Shadi Zahran, Group CEO of Ahli United Bank, said: 'These awards reflect the success of our strategy to successfully provide world-class Shari'a-compliant products that enable businesses to thrive, especially in the area of supply chain finance and transactional banking.'

Kuwait Introduces Lottery System For 1447 AH Hajj Registration Through Sahel Platform
Kuwait Introduces Lottery System For 1447 AH Hajj Registration Through Sahel Platform

Gulf Insider

timea day ago

  • Gulf Insider

Kuwait Introduces Lottery System For 1447 AH Hajj Registration Through Sahel Platform

Kuwait's Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MoIA) has announced new registration procedures for the 1447 AH Hajj season, introducing a lottery-based system designed to ensure transparency and equal opportunity for pilgrims. The decision, outlined in an official circular issued last Wednesday, follows recommendations from the Supreme Hajj and Umrah Committee during its first meeting of the Islamic year. The new system will be implemented through Kuwait's unified e-government platform, Sahel, and will remain open across multiple phases until all applicants are processed. Registrants will retain their lottery ranking throughout the process until they are selected and confirm participation. Under the revised framework, only Kuwaiti nationals who have not previously performed Hajj will be eligible to apply. Each applicant may register in a group of up to five relatives, and women may include one mahram (male guardian) who has already completed Hajj. One resident relative may also be added to each group. To initiate the application, registrants must pay a non-refundable fee of 10 Kuwaiti dinars. Successful applicants will then be required to pay 1,500 Kuwaiti dinars (around $4,900) to secure their spot. Failure to meet the payment deadline will result in automatic cancellation. Pilgrims will be allowed a one-time campaign change prior to January 15, 2026, depending on availability. The replacement candidate, selected based on lottery rank, will have three days to complete payment. Cancellations made before January 18, 2026, will be eligible for a refund; cancellations beyond that date will forfeit the full amount. The MoIA emphasised that notifications and application updates will be communicated exclusively via the Sahel platform. Additional circulars will be issued in the coming months, detailing payment procedures and firm registration deadlines.

Saudi Arabia Suspends Four Umrah Firms, Fines Others Over Pilgrim Housing Violations
Saudi Arabia Suspends Four Umrah Firms, Fines Others Over Pilgrim Housing Violations

Gulf Insider

time2 days ago

  • Gulf Insider

Saudi Arabia Suspends Four Umrah Firms, Fines Others Over Pilgrim Housing Violations

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended four Umrah companies and imposed financial penalties on several others after uncovering violations related to inadequate accommodation services for pilgrims. The disciplinary measures follow a series of unannounced field inspections conducted to ensure Umrah service providers are meeting the contractual obligations outlined in their approved programmes. The ministry found that a number of companies had failed to deliver the housing standards promised to pilgrims, in breach of prior agreements. 'These violations contradict the service commitments agreed upon with providers and are not aligned with the standards we expect for pilgrims,' the ministry said in a statement. 'Ensuring the comfort, safety, and dignity of pilgrims remains our top priority.' The penalties vary depending on the severity and recurrence of each violation. In addition to the suspension of four firms, other companies were fined, though the ministry did not disclose the exact amounts. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict compliance across the sector. 'Negligence or failure to meet contractual duties will result in firm legal consequences,' the statement added. The inspections are part of ongoing efforts by Saudi authorities to elevate the overall experience of pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques, particularly in light of the Kingdom's goals to expand and enhance religious tourism under Vision 2030. The ministry urged all licensed companies to adhere to the approved regulations and timelines, stressing the importance of delivering high-quality services throughout every phase of the pilgrim's journey.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store