Meet world’s first AI-powered Umrah advisor 'Ibraheem'

A Saudi-backed consortium has introduced what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered Umrah advisor, named “Ibraheem,” designed to simplify pilgrimage planning and reduce costs for millions of Muslims—among them over two million Pakistanis who visit Saudi Arabia annually.

Ibraheem was developed by Pakistani startup Umrah Companions and is powered by Funadiq, a Saudi-based Destination Management Company that specializes in Hajj and Umrah services.

Launched last week, the AI tool provides personalized pilgrimage guidance in multiple languages—including Urdu and Roman Urdu—with the goal of reducing Umrah-related expenses by up to 20%.

Pakistan represents one of the largest global pilgrimage markets, with citizens spending over $5 billion each year on Hajj and Umrah.

“Today, 93% of Muslims worldwide cannot afford Hajj and Umrah. It's too expensive,” said Mohammad Salman Arain, CEO of Umrah Companions, in an interview. “The cost remains high because of inefficiencies in the system. Our mission is to change that.”

Many Pakistani pilgrims face challenges such as language barriers, limited access to personalized travel information, and costly, inflexible packages from traditional agents. Arain said the AI assistant addresses these issues by tailoring its services to individual needs—whether users are traveling with children, elderly family members, or on a tight budget.

Currently, Ibraheem supports 10 languages, including Arabic and English, and offers real-time recommendations on flights, hotels, food, weather, medical facilities, and even wheelchair availability near the Haram in Makkah.

“You can simply ask, ‘I want to travel in August. What’s the estimated budget for four people?’” Arain explained. “Ibraheem will suggest both premium and budget options, highlight hotels suitable for elderly travelers, and help build an itinerary.”

The platform is optimized for smartphones and low-bandwidth environments, making it particularly helpful for Pakistani blue- and white-collar workers in the Gulf, who often lack access to user-friendly planning tools.

“We’re building this to make everyone’s life easier—not just ours,” Arain said. “It’s available to every Muslim in the world.”
To expand its reach, Umrah Companions is partnering with Pakistani embassies, banks, and diaspora groups in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where many Pakistani pilgrims are based.

Though the current focus is on Umrah, Arain noted the platform is already being trained for use during the Hajj season.

Once a pilgrim arrives in Saudi Arabia, Ibraheem continues to assist with on-ground needs—from locating wheelchairs at Haram gates to restaurant suggestions and emergency responses.

According to Arain, the tool has already led to a 25% increase in website traffic, and the company is developing it into an open platform that can be used by all Muslims, regardless of which travel service they book through.

The launch supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to enhance the pilgrimage experience through digital innovation and accessibility.

“We believe this will revolutionize pilgrimage,” Arain said, “and it aligns perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to modernizing religious tourism and making it more affordable for everyone.”