Under the title "For the Safety of Pilgrims: Saudi Ihram with Nano Technology," Sky News reported that pilgrims performing Hajj this year will use "silver nano-treated Ihram" invented by Saudi inventor Hamad bin Ali Al-Yami. For the second consecutive year, the "silver nano-treated Ihram" has been approved for the Hajj season.
This Ihram is unique as it is made from cotton fabric that prevents bacterial growth and enhances preventative measures for the safety of pilgrims. The idea for this Ihram dates back over three years, aimed at reducing infection transmission among pilgrims, especially considering the varying duration of wearing the Ihram during rituals, direct interaction, and personal hygiene levels, as well as the impact of synthetic materials mixed with cotton in the Ihram fabric.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Yami explained that his use of nano technology for the Ihram fabric came "after a phase of research for applicable possibilities," leading him to use silver as a disinfectant for wounds, and learning that silver is a key element in silver nano technology used globally to sterilize surgical tools, doctor uniforms, and medical teams in hospitals.
Al-Yami added, "From here was the beginning and the thought of using this technology to manufacture the Ihram, which required field visits to several specialized entities in this technology." He further stated, "What encouraged me more about the project was the experiment conducted by the King Abdulaziz Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research in 2008, which relied on nano technology to produce materials resistant to bacteria, fungi, and viruses for disinfecting carpets in the holy mosques and the Kaaba cover, showing results that significantly reduced microbial growth."
It is noteworthy that this type of Ihram, registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property in 2019, was used for the first time during last year's Hajj, supported by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Ihram received the global quality certification "ISO" and was recommended by the King Abdulaziz Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University, in addition to receiving recognition from the German lab (SGS).
