Muslim Futures: Virtual Hajj & Al-Aqsa presentation by Dr. Obeid

Muslim Futures: Virtual Hajj & Al-Aqsa presentation by Dr. Obeid

🎙 Dr. Mohammad Obeid 👥 1K 📅 June 15, 2026 ⏱ 12 min 👁 16 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

virtual realityHajjUmrahAl-Aqsatraining

Summary

Dr. Mohammad Obeid presents two virtual reality projects developed by the Center for Islamic Contemporary World at Shenandoah University: Pilgrim VR and Al-Aqsa Reality. Pilgrim VR offers a digital twin of Mecca for training in Hajj and Umrah rituals, including a curriculum covering all schools of thought. Al-Aqsa Reality provides a self-guided tour of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, featuring over 200 landmarks with historical information. Both apps are free and available on public marketplaces. The presentation includes behind-the-scenes footage and emphasizes the research-based approach and collaboration with Siraj Studios in Jordan. The speaker highlights the value of immersive training for those preparing for pilgrimage and the preservation aspect for cultural heritage sites.

112 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in the demonstration of practical applications of VR for religious education and cultural preservation. The speaker argues that VR can complement traditional training methods, offering unique opportunities for immersive learning and access to sites that may be physically or politically inaccessible. The argumentation is based on anecdotal evidence and the speaker’s personal experience, but lacks empirical data or comparative studies. The presentation is more descriptive than analytical, focusing on the features and development process rather than evaluating effectiveness or impact.

95 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: a presentation on virtual reality applications for Islamic holy sites, delivered at a conference on Muslim futures.

Quality & Reliability

6/10

The presentation is based on the speaker's direct involvement in the projects, with claims of research-based development and collaboration with a university center. However, no external sources or verifiable data are provided, and the talk is largely descriptive without critical evaluation.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • ICW Learn — Mentioned as a resource for more information on the projects

Concurring Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The presentation introduces two novel VR applications that provide immersive training and exploration for Islamic holy sites. The main contribution is the combination of educational content with VR technology to address practical needs of pilgrims and to preserve cultural heritage. The projects are notable for their scale and detail, including a digital twin of Mecca and a comprehensive tour of Al-Aqsa.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Virtual reality in education — Provides background on VR applications in learning.
  • Digital twin — Explains the concept of digital replicas used in various fields.
  • Hajj — Offers context on the pilgrimage and its rituals.

101 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate scores across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in quantity of information and lower in technical level. This suggests a presentation that provides a good overview but lacks deep technical detail or rigorous scientific backing.

Reliability 5/10