Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Launches Contest for Best Pilgrim Umbrella

• The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a challenge to design a new umbrella for pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.
• Applicants can enter with an early-stage prototype, a near-complete innovation, or an existing product improved with new value.
• Qualified applicants must build and deliver a working prototype within two weeks of being notified.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the “Innovate the Best Umbrella for Pilgrims” challenge on August 4, 2026.

The challenge is open to innovators, designers, developers, and specialized companies who want to submit practical, workable ideas for the personal umbrellas pilgrims use during Hajj and Umrah.

The Ministry said the challenge is part of its ongoing work to improve the pilgrim experience. The goal is to find solutions that protect pilgrims from the sun, are easy to use, improve safety, and are efficient to produce and maintain.

Design Requirements

Entries must produce a working prototype of an innovative umbrella. The design should be lightweight and easy to carry and use. It must offer strong protection from ultraviolet rays and withstand tough weather conditions and crowded spaces.

Designs should also reflect the visual identity of the holy sites and be suitable for large-scale production and use during future Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must register under one of three categories:

1. An early prototype or trial version built to prove the idea works
2. A complete or near-complete innovation ready to be applied and launched
3. An existing product or service already on the market that has been developed or improved with new added value

What the Application Must Include

Each application must contain:

• A short description of the innovation
• The challenge it addresses, chosen from: visual disorganization and lack of a unified identity, impact on crowd flow and safety, inconsistent quality and operational efficiency, or user fatigue and restricted hand movement
• An explanation of what makes the umbrella the right choice for pilgrims, covering its added value, impact, and potential for use and scale-up during Hajj and Umrah
• The technologies or materials used in the design
• A commitment to full readiness to manufacture and deliver the prototype within two weeks of being notified of qualification
• Supporting attachments such as engineering designs, photos, and other documents that help judges assess the innovation — up to 10 files, 1MB maximum per file

Terms and Conditions

Applicants must agree to the following before registering:

• All information submitted must be accurate, and the applicant is fully responsible for it
• The applicant must own the idea or design, or hold the legal right to submit it
• Registration or acceptance into the challenge does not commit the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to adopt, implement, or contract for the idea
• All entries go through a screening and evaluation stage based on the Ministry’s approved criteria, and the Ministry may accept or exclude any entry that does not meet the requirements
• Qualified applicants must manufacture and deliver an actual prototype within two weeks of the qualification announcement
• The applicant agrees that submitted information and attachments may be used for evaluation, judging, and development purposes, while being kept confidential under applicable regulations
• The applicant confirms the submitted prototype can be displayed and assessed during the challenge stages
• The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reserves the right to change the timeline, stages, or procedures of the challenge to meet the initiative’s goals, and will notify participants of any changes

Five-Stage Selection Process

The challenge runs through five stages. Participants first register and review the challenge goals and judging criteria. This is followed by introductory workshops, then prototype development, then submission of the finished models.

In the final stage, judges will select the winning designs based on user experience, safety and crowd management, design quality and sustainability, innovation, and how practical and applicable the design is.

The Ministry said the challenge focuses on producing solutions that reduce heat stress for pilgrims while they move, support smoother movement in crowded areas, and create one unified look for umbrellas used during Hajj and Umrah.

How to Register

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