Pilgrim VR: Hajj and Umrah
Virtual reality for training and simulation of Islamic pilgrimage
Shenandoah University Associate Professor of Virtual and Augmented Reality Mohammad Obeid, Ph.D., received a research grant from the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World to create an immersive virtual reality experience to serve as a training and education platform for the primary religious pilgrimages in the Islamic faith.
In an authentic and sophisticated simulation of places, rituals, and various steps involved in Hajj and Umrah, a user is able to explore, learn, and train in an interactive manner in virtual reality (VR).
Pilgrim VR allows users to either freely explore and learn at their own pace, or otherwise participate in an interactive step-by-step training curriculum curated specifically for Hajj and Umrah training.
"I expect this platform, when complete, to find a place in classrooms and travel agencies, as well as government entities responsible for educating and facilitating Hajj and Umrah trips. Furthermore, there is significant scholarship that constitutes this project to include studying religious guidelines and how they differ around the world, as well as research in simulation and virtual reality. I am very excited about this global partnership with CICW and Siraj Studios, which alone is a significant step towards further internationalizing our programs and scholarship here at SU.”
- Mohammad Obeid, Ph.D., Shenandoah University Associate professor of virtual and augmented reality
“We are very excited about this project as a teaching tool to be used by teachers, prospective pilgrims, those curious about Hajj, and the general Muslim population who would wish to go to Mecca but cannot afford it,” said M. Yaqub Mirza, president of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World and a member of the Shenandoah University Board of Trustees.
“The grant demonstrates the increasing importance of virtual reality in higher education and international exchange,” said Younus Y. Mirza, Ph.D., director of the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning. “The collaboration between CICW, Shenandoah, and Siraj Studios is an excellent example of global partnerships and learning.”
"The CICW and Shenandoah University are at the cutting edge of teaching and learning methodology. We are thrilled to provide this grant to Shenandoah University and initiate the collaboration with Dr. Obeid and his team. Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are central teachings and rituals of Islam. The Pilgrim VR project will allow everyone to get a better understanding of the sacred Islamic sites.”
- Ermin Sinanović, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World
In an authentic and sophisticated simulation of places, rituals, and various steps involved in Hajj and Umrah, a user is able to explore, learn, and train in an interactive manner in virtual reality (VR).
Pilgrim VR allows users to either freely explore and learn at their own pace, or otherwise participate in an interactive step-by-step training curriculum curated specifically for Hajj and Umrah training.
"I expect this platform, when complete, to find a place in classrooms and travel agencies, as well as government entities responsible for educating and facilitating Hajj and Umrah trips. Furthermore, there is significant scholarship that constitutes this project to include studying religious guidelines and how they differ around the world, as well as research in simulation and virtual reality. I am very excited about this global partnership with CICW and Siraj Studios, which alone is a significant step towards further internationalizing our programs and scholarship here at SU.”
- Mohammad Obeid, Ph.D., Shenandoah University Associate professor of virtual and augmented reality
“We are very excited about this project as a teaching tool to be used by teachers, prospective pilgrims, those curious about Hajj, and the general Muslim population who would wish to go to Mecca but cannot afford it,” said M. Yaqub Mirza, president of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World and a member of the Shenandoah University Board of Trustees.
“The grant demonstrates the increasing importance of virtual reality in higher education and international exchange,” said Younus Y. Mirza, Ph.D., director of the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning. “The collaboration between CICW, Shenandoah, and Siraj Studios is an excellent example of global partnerships and learning.”
"The CICW and Shenandoah University are at the cutting edge of teaching and learning methodology. We are thrilled to provide this grant to Shenandoah University and initiate the collaboration with Dr. Obeid and his team. Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are central teachings and rituals of Islam. The Pilgrim VR project will allow everyone to get a better understanding of the sacred Islamic sites.”
- Ermin Sinanović, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World