Assessing the Effects of Crowding Perception and Gender Among Southeast Asia Pilgrims in Mina, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study gives a better understanding of the effect of crowding on pilgrims at the Hajj. It explores the levels of perceived crowding of Southeastern Asian pilgrims and investigates the effects of gender on their perceived crowding. Questionnaire in both Bahasa Melayu and English languages were administered for data collections from randomly selected pilgrims, (n=128), from the Southeast Asia Hajj group at Mina for three days (10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah). Results revealed that pilgrims witness high levels of crowd perception within their stay at Mina. In addition also, differences between the overall perceived crowding, perceived human crowding and perceived spatial crowding among pilgrims were revealed. Perceived human crowding was found as an indicator to the overall perceived crowding at Mina. Future research could be carried out to assess the effects of other factors such as education and cultural backgrounds and these findings can help authorities in charge of formulating policies manage crowd levels and perception.

Urban Growth Studies for the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, through Literature Synthesis

“…Additionally, other scholars' work that supports the need for effective urban management in the HCOM metropolis includes [41], which considers the development of a model for the sustainable evaluation of neighborhoods in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [24] evaluated Hajj crowding and its effects with references to Southeast Asian pilgrims. [42] appraised the role of residents of Makkah City roles concerning housing within the HCOM.…”

The role of identity‐related beliefs in the appraisal and management of crowding: Insights from the Hajj

“…Some beliefs and values are directly related to the issue of proximity. For example, Islamic norms regulate contact between unrelated males and females (Thimm, 2021) and contribute to the gendered experience of Hajj crowding (Alsolami et al, 2018; Kadrouch‐Outmany & Buitelaar, 2021). Other beliefs and values have more general implications for pilgrims' behaviour.…”