
Saudi Hajj gift association Hadiyah to serve 2.9 million pilgrims this year
RIYADH: The Hajj and Mutamer's Gift Charitable Association, or Hadiyah, has launched its field and creative service programs to benefit nearly 3 million pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
According to SPA, the initiative aims to enrich the spiritual journey of pilgrims by upholding human and moral values from the moment of arrival to departure. Hadiyah's efforts extend across all points of entry — land, sea and air — facilitating access to Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
Turki Al-Hetershi, Hadiyah's executive director, said that the association was preparing to serve 2.9 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors this year.
He said that Hadiyah would focus on enhancing the pilgrim experience through innovative initiatives and strategic community partnerships.
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
The young Saudis bridging language barriers during Hajj
RIYADH: Each year, millions of Muslims from all over the world arrive in Makkah for Hajj — united in faith, but sometimes divided by language. From Turkish and Urdu to Swahili and Bahasa, the diversity of languages in the holy cities is vast. For many, overcoming language barriers while navigating the logistics of Hajj can be overwhelming. That is where young Saudi volunteers step in to translate and ease some of the challenges pilgrims face. 'We speak different languages, but we're all here for the same reason,' said Deema Ibrahim, 21. Ibrahim's experience volunteering as a translator began with a change of plans. 'I initially joined a team for emergency medical services,' she said. 'But when we arrived, we found that the ambulance units were already full. So we were redirected to work in the road guidance division.' Her unit was based near a hotel that housed non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims. As one of the few bilingual members of her team, Ibrahim's role became essential. 'I also assisted deaf and mute pilgrims through remote video calls,' she said. 'That allowed me to support a wider group of people who would otherwise be left struggling.' One of the most emotional moments she experienced was helping an elderly woman who had become separated from her family. 'She didn't remember much and couldn't communicate clearly. 'We eventually found a card with her camp name, called them, and her daughters came running. They didn't expect to find her again. It was a moment I'll never forget. 'I did it for the reward — and for the duas.' Saad Al-Harbi, 23, was encouraged by a friend to volunteer. 'He said, 'You speak good English, you live in Makkah, and you're available — why not help as a group guide and translator?'' he recalled. Most of the questions from pilgrims were about directions. 'They'd ask how to get to Arafat, or where to perform the stoning, or how to navigate from one site to another.' But what stayed with him most was the gratitude. 'On the last day of Hajj, almost everyone in our group came up to thank me. They told me my help made a difference. That meant everything.' Maha Al-Ahmari, 24, who speaks fluent Turkish, assisted several elderly Turkish origin or Turkish-speaking pilgrims who were part of a group of North African pilgrims in Muzdalifah. 'Many of them were completely disoriented and couldn't communicate with security or their own groups,' she said. 'Just being able to speak their language calmed them instantly. One woman kissed my hand in thanks — I'll never forget that.' The Kingdom's efforts to enhance services for pilgrims include multilingual signage, smart apps with translation features, and trained staff in key areas. Still, human contact is at the heart of everything guides do — especially when emotions run high. Ibrahim said that some of the most difficult cases involved older pilgrims who were confused, hard of hearing, or dealing with memory loss. 'The pressure increases during the days of Nafr,' she said. 'People get lost easily. And when they can't speak Arabic or English, the stress becomes dangerous.' She credits the government's organization — from surveillance centers to camp identification systems — for helping volunteers like her stay effective. 'We had support, but the human side of it — calming someone, assuring them — that was on us.' Faris Al-Turki, 28, who volunteered in Mina, said he used Google Translate in real time to assist a pilgrim from Central Asia. 'It wasn't perfect, but it helped. He was trying to find his medication and explain a health condition. We figured it out.' For many volunteers, the act of translation is an act of worship. It's a way to serve the guests of Allah — a role that holds deep spiritual meaning in Saudi culture. 'You're not just translating words,' Al-Harbi said. 'You're translating emotion. You're showing them that they're not alone.' Ibrahim agreed. 'It was exhausting, physically and mentally, but it was the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. Despite our different languages, we were all in the same sacred space, for the same reason. That unity — you feel it.' In the end, most volunteers do not seek recognition. They often work behind the scenes, in the heat, in the chaos, among strangers. But for the pilgrims who meet them — the ones who are lost, confused, scared — their presence is unforgettable. A calm voice. A familiar phrase. A gesture of patience. And when the pilgrims return home, they may not remember every building or landmark, but they will remember that young Saudi who stepped forward, understood their words, and made them feel seen.


Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Makkah's 911 is truly a friend in need
MINA: Whether you have lost your way, misplaced a valuable item, or faced a moment of danger in the Makkah region, you can simply call 911, and the first thing you will hear is, 'How can I help you?' However, behind that simple question stands an army of skilled operators and a vast, sophisticated system — the Unified Security Operations Center 911 in the Makkah region, a key division of the National Center for Security Operations under the Saudi Ministry of Interior. The center is a vital yet often unseen component of public safety, responsible for coordinating emergency responses. Its role becomes especially crucial during major events like the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Normally, the center includes representatives from around 15 security and service agencies, but this number can increase to as many as 30 during Hajj to ensure the effective management of large crowds and potential emergencies. Located just a few kilometers from the holy sites, the facility is divided into three core sections: the call-taking hall, the dispatch hall, and the surveillance hall, which oversees the city's extensive network of security cameras. Speaking to Arab News, Capt. Abdulaziz bin Zuhair Al-Ghamdi, spokesperson for the NCSO, said the center receives around 40,000 calls each day, noting that 80 percent are resolved directly by call takers without the need for further escalation. 'Most of the calls we get are from people asking questions about some of the rules we have like how and when to enter Makkah, or who is allowed to enter Makkah,' Al-Ghamdi said. During peak periods such as Hajj, the volume of calls increases. On Thursday, June 5 alone, the center handled 46,079 calls. Many of these came from pilgrims seeking assistance with finding their tents or requesting medical help. Capt. Al-Ghamdi emphasized that only 20 percent of the calls require formal reports and are forwarded to specialized entities for further action. 'As you can see, the center is equipped with the most advanced technology. We answer calls in less than two seconds,' he said. In addition to speed, the center also ensures accessibility, and male and female call takers are trained to respond in multiple languages, including English, French, and Urdu, to assist the diverse population of pilgrims and residents seeking help. The spokesperson noted that once a call is received, the caller's phone number, name, and location are immediately displayed on the center's advanced monitoring screens. 'If there is a serious case, we fill out a form and submit it to the specialized department in less than 45 seconds,' he added. The NCSO oversees similar unified security operations centers in Riyadh, Madinah, and the Eastern Province. It is tasked with monitoring security developments across the Kingdom, analyzing threats, managing large-scale crises, and coordinating response efforts among various agencies. Beyond reactive operations, the center proactively monitors daily developments, issues alerts to secure key installations and diplomatic missions, and coordinates security plans for national events. In a city as densely populated and spiritually significant as Makkah, the responsibility is immense. But thanks to the unseen dedication of teams working around the clock, both residents and pilgrims benefit from a rapid and reassuring response when they need it most. Behind every emergency call answered, there is a quiet promise of safety, delivered by professional men and women committed to protecting lives.


Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hajj Pilgrims Perform Stoning of Devil at Jamarat on First Day of Tashreeq
Hajj pilgrims were performing the symbolic stoning of the devil on the first day of Tashreeq on Saturday. They will stone the devil with three pebbles at Jamarat after having had performed the first phase of the stoning on Friday and ending their state of Ihram. Also on Friday, which was the first day of Eid al-Adha, the pilgrims performed the Ifada tawaf of the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Before that, they had ascended Mount Arafat on Thursday – considered the peak of the Hajj. The Saudi Interior Ministry has called on pilgrims to follow the designated paths that connect each area where rituals are performed. It also called on them to follow the set timetable for each ritual. An Interior Ministry spokesman said on Friday that the security forces continue to perform their duties in protecting the pilgrims and ensuring their safety as they carry out the sacred rituals. For pilgrims seeking to depart on the second day of Tashreeq, he urged them to remain in their tents until their departure times. He underscored the Interior Ministry's continued security and organizational efforts to ensure the safety of the pilgrims as they complete their holy journey.