Hajj-QAES: A Knowledge-Based Expert System to Support Hajj Pilgrims in Decision Making

Abstract

Most Muslim countries provide trainings to their pilgrims before departing for Mecca in order to assist them in achieving a perfect or mabrur hajj. However they probably encounter hajj related problems that require them to make immediate decisions especially while performing hajj. In such situations they may refer to hajj guide books or their fellow pilgrims. Besides, they may need to refer to hajj experts in the decision making process pertaining to more complex problems. Nevertheless, experts may not be around all the time especially while performing hajj rituals. We propose a knowledge-based approach that can capture possible problems and solutions from the experts in a prototype known as hajj Q&A expert system or Hajj-QAES. It provides an interface that enables experts to capture both simple and advanced questions. Thus, we anticipate Hajj-QAES can support pilgrims both in learning process and most importantly while performing hajj in Mecca. Such systems would be more accessible should it be installed in handheld devices such as a hand phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).