An Exploratory KAP Survey of the Pilgrims on the Issue of Thronging Mount Arafaat: Toward Developing Messages for Crowd Management
, Vol.3
, Sixth Issue
PP:7 - 50
Authors:
Dr. Osman B.Gazzaz-Assistant Professor - Head of Media Affairs Department,Media Affairs Department,The Institute of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques for Hajj & Omrah Research,Umm al-Qura University
Abstract:
Acknowledgment
With the name of Allah, the most Gracious the Dispenser of Grace, may His eternal peace and blessings be upon Muhammad (PBUH), and the members of his household and on his companions, Aameen. All thanks are to Allah Subhanahu-Wa-Ta’la for His mercy, help and for bestowing us with the capacity to undertake and complete this study. This study was fully funded by the Institute of the Custodian Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Omrah Research, Umm al-Qura University, Makkah al-Mukarramah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authors gratefully acknowledge the institute’s financial support and record their unreserved gratitude to the Institute’s illustrious Dean, Dr. Mohammad Atif Asghar, and the members of the Research Committee for approving and supporting the project. We also thank our colleagues at the department and all the post-graduate students who contributed with their time, efforts and invaluable suggestions in various stages of this project. Without their help and support, this project would have been far from complete.
Abstract
This study reports findings of an exploratory KAP (knowledge, attitudes, & practices) survey of the pilgrims about visiting the Jabal al-Rahmah on the Hajj Day. The broad research question examined in the study was to determine what perceptions do the Hajj pilgrims hold about going to the Jabal area and why do they hold those perceptions. Data on this research question was collected from a non-probability sample of 500 pilgrims during the Hajj of 1435 (H). Descriptive statistical techniques involving the use of such summary measures like means, standard deviations, correlation coefficients, and factor analysis revealed that going to the Jabal on the Hajj day, far from being a simple monolithic concept, might well be a complex conceptual continuum. The intermediate portion of this polar conceptual continuum of going and not going may be taken up by perceptual dynamics of information and attitudes, and risk perceptions. The religious scholars, the Ulema, seem to play a critical role in influencing the perceptual dynamics that result in the Hajj Day behavioral outcome of going or not going. Based on this, broad recommendations are made about the nature of messages (message content) to be used in a communication campaign of crowd management in the Jabal area.
Key Words:
Messages addressed, pilgrims awareness, Mount Arafat hair
Research Language:
English
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