Recent Social Concerns Regarding the Integration of Technology in Islamic Pilgrimage

Dakwah and Leadership Studies, Department of Islamic Studies, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

Hajj and Umrah are two major pilgrimage events that bring millions of Muslims together every year, coming from diverse ethnic and theological backgrounds. Creating unique social phenomena in which Muslims experience social identity formation. The integration of technology in pilgrimage has sparked new research on the sociology of pilgrimage, examining the effects of recent technological developments on the social experience of pilgrimage. This paper addresses several social concerns related to the digital experience of pilgrimage. It uses a descriptive method to analyze recent academic research on the probable social consequences of tech-integrated pilgrimage. The findings reveal that social concerns highlighted in literature could be categorized into three dimensions: Authenticity, Spirituality, and community bonding. Such concerns express the significant impact of technology on the social experience of pilgrimage. Future research should focus on the long-term implications of technology and its effect on the formation of social identity during pilgrimage.