Interview with Dr. Maliha Hashmi

SL Rasch GmbH is closely associated with Saudi Arabia and its religious and cultural background. Our projects are deeply connected to the most sacred places in the country. But they do not only fulfil their functional and aesthetical purpose – they are perceived as part of an overall health and safety system and enable people to live a protected life in public areas. When it comes to safety, hygiene and healthcare, it is not about individual components, but about the big picture. It is the sum of the individual measures that makes experiences such as the Hajj pilgrimage a unique, unforgettable and ultimately safe experience. SL Rasch GmbH has been involved in the infrastructure planning of pilgrimages for decades. With projects such as the Muna Tent City, which provides accommodation for more than two million pilgrims, we have proven that we can create a hygienic and safe environment for people that meets a variety of requirements. Furthermore, with the implementation of crowd management methods, structured pedestrian flows can be ensured whenever huge crowds gather. By calculating these flows and predicting potential bottlenecks, preventive action can be taken already in the planning phase.
We want to constantly improve the quality of this unique pilgrimage experiences and are proud to be able to make a contribution to this.

The aspect of designing a comprehensive healthcare system is a huge project in Saudi Arabia and focuses on a number of other issues in addition to the safe design of public spaces. Based on her many years of experience and with her holistic view, Dr. Maliha Hashmi gives us an insight into the Saudi healthcare system of tomorrow and how she envisions it.

You have been working in the healthcare sector for a long time and are considered one of the most talented female health leaders in the MENA region. What motivated you to work in this sector, and what excites you about it?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: I believe, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “There is a cure for every disease”. This guiding principle has shaped my life and work. It instills in me the belief that every challenge has a solution, and as humans, it is our responsibility to uncover these solutions and redesign systems to improve lives meaningfully. Health and well-being, to me, are not just goals — they are the foundation for everything else.
I am deeply inspired by the ambition to create systems that are “healthy by design”, where every aspect — whether physical spaces, technologies, or daily living — is designed to support wellness and enhance quality of life. I see myself as a steward entrusted with bringing impactful change. It is a role I embrace with love and passion, knowing that the work I do has the potential to touch lives in profound ways. My focus is not simply on treating illness but on creating ecosystems that enable people to thrive emotionally, physically, and spiritually. By proactively shaping the system, we can achieve so much and act preventively, which means that so much can be avoided from the outset. I really want to make my contribution to this.

Talking about preventive healthcare strategies and well-designed infrastructure that supports people in their well-being: we prioritise these topics with our structures as well.
However, the organisation of the pilgrimages presents Saudi Arabia with a number of other major challenges. What are the main health aspects during the pilgrimage?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: We have to deal with the ever-increasing global population, climate challenges like global warming and the growing number of people performing Hajj each year. Despite the incredible advancements made annually to improve Hajj, the scale and complexity of the pilgrimage require constant innovation.

The key concerns include:
• Heat Stress and Dehydration: High temperatures can lead to significant health risks, necessitating strategies for shade, hydration, and cooling.
• Communicable Diseases: The dense gathering of people increases the potential for outbreaks, requiring robust surveillance and rapid response systems.
• Emotional and Physical Well-being: Overcrowding can cause stress, highlighting the need for spaces that provide rest and calm.
• Chronic Disease Management: Many pilgrims have pre-existing conditions that require ongoing care.

Proactive prevention is vital to ensure nothing disastrous happens. Designing a Healthy by Design journey for Hajj means addressing these risks before they arise, creating an experience that safeguards both physical and emotional health.

How can these health concerns be addressed and which aspects of healthcare do you consider the most important for Saudi Arabia right now?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: The most pressing priorities for Saudi Arabia today, as we work towards Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life program, include:

• Healthy by Design Spaces: Designing rest zones, shaded walkways and hydration stations to reduce heat stress and overcrowding.
• Proactive Prevention: Moving away from reactive care by embedding preventive measures into daily life, from routine screenings to public health education.
• Integrated Systems: Breaking down silos within healthcare to create a unified, accessible system where data, resources, and care pathways work seamlessly.
• Technological Innovation: Leveraging AI, wearable tech-devices, and digital twins to predict and manage health outcomes in real-time.
• Sustainability in Health: Building green healthcare infrastructure and designing spaces that promote wellness while minimising environmental impact.
• Equitable Access: Ensuring that healthcare is inclusive, reaching all populations with tailored solutions for diverse needs.

The overall journey — the means and the experience — is just as important as the outcome. Saudi Arabia is already leading by example, making Hajj more accessible and creating opportunities to improve the experience every year.

How do you assess the current state of health precautions for pilgrimages? Is enough being done, or is there room for development?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: The strides made in improving health precautions for Hajj are commendable. From AI-driven health monitoring to robust emergency response systems, Saudi Arabia has set a high standard. However, with the ever-growing scale of Hajj, there is always room to evolve.
The focus must be on making the journey seamless — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. This involves providing ease of access, clear guidance and a sense of calm and comfort throughout the experience. The continuous improvement we see year after year reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to making Hajj not just a spiritual milestone but also a journey of holistic well-being.

What role can innovative architectural designs play in improving pilgrimage care and experience?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: Innovative architecture plays a transformative role in the Hajj experience. By embedding wellness into design, we can create spaces that cater to physical, emotional, and spiritual health. For example:

• Climate-Responsive Structures: Buildings that regulate temperature and reduce heat stress.
• Sustainability: Incorporating renewable energy, eco-friendly materials, and water-saving designs.
• Rest Zones: Dedicated areas for hydration, relaxation, and recovery to reduce stress and fatigue.
• Smart Design: Using IoT and AI to manage crowd flow and ensure safety.

These designs turn the pilgrimage into a journey of health and happiness, aligning spiritual and physical well-being.

What are the key challenges and opportunities in this field?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: The challenges of scale, cultural sensitivity and climate risks are significant, but they also present immense opportunities. By adopting forward-thinking designs, integrating advanced technologies and prioritising sustainability, we can create a system that is not only resilient but also inspiring. These efforts can set a benchmark for managing large-scale health systems globally.

As an outlook to the end: Which healthcare topics will occupy you most in the near future?

Dr. Maliha Hashmi: My focus remains on designing systems that are proactive, personalised and sustainable. This includes advancing digital twins, precision medicine and circular health economies where every element of healthcare supports long-term well-being. The future of healthcare is about designing systems that don’t just treat but empower and inspire individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

Concluding Remarks by SL Rasch
To make contributions to the journey of a lifetime for millions of people, SL Rasch has been involved in infrastructure projects in the Holy Sites in Saudi Arabia for the last 30 years. With the creation of digital models of the relevant areas, we simulate the movement of people and thus identify the need to optimise the infrastructure. Our expertise in lightweight architecture enables us to directly implement identified requirements by providing temporary shelters or shaded areas, improving the overall experience of pilgrims in the best possible way. SL Rasch therefore takes care of a safe and comfortable environment where people can enjoy their pilgrimage to the fullest without feeling stressed, constricted or overheated. As Dr. Hashmi emphasised in her interview, experience design is not about dealing with individual aspects of the journey. It is about the entire system, where every detail is important and needs to mesh with the bigger picture.