Noble human values shine through in the holiest of places, where scout leader a shining example of honesty and integrity by returning a lost bag to a pilgrim in the circumambulation area of the Grand Mosque during the 28th night of Ramadan. This incident is not merely a passing occurrence, but a true reflection of the spirit of dedication that volunteers possess in serving the guests of God.
The details of this touching incident date back to when pilgrim Youssef Hussein lost his personal bag after performing the Isha prayer and continuing his Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba). The bag contained highly valuable belongings, including his passport, bank cards, cash, and essential travel documents. This loss caused the pilgrim great anxiety amidst the millions of pilgrims on that blessed night, before scout leader Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, a volunteer in the public service camps of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, intervened and reassured him.
The role of each scout leader in establishing the values of volunteering in the Kingdom
This initiative was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather an extension of a long history of service. The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association was founded in 1381 AH (1961 CE), and since then, it has undertaken the responsibility of actively participating in serving pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. The public service camp in Mecca and the Holy Sites is one of the most prominent historical events where Saudi youth demonstrate their competence annually. The presence of a qualified scout leader in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Mecca provides an additional safeguard, as these young people are trained to handle emergencies, manage crowds, and provide humanitarian assistance with the highest standards of quality and professionalism, reflecting the Kingdom's positive image.
Exceptional efforts in research and delivering the trust
Upon finding the bag, Al-Ghamdi immediately launched an extraordinary search effort on his own. Not only did he hand it over to the authorities, but he also searched for any means of communication within the belongings. At his own expense, he activated international calling to contact a number he found inside the bag. Meanwhile, the pilgrim continued his eager search among security personnel and staff until he encountered the young man who refused to leave his post, even after his official working hours had ended. The young man preferred to wait to verify the bag's owner's identity and return it to him personally, with all its contents intact.
The humanitarian and societal impact of the Saudi Scouts' efforts
This incident has dimensions and implications that extend beyond the local level to the regional and international levels. Locally, these actions reinforce the culture of volunteerism among members of Saudi society and align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aspires to reach one million volunteers. Regionally and internationally, such humanitarian stories send a message of reassurance to millions of Muslims around the world, confirming that the pilgrims are in safe hands and that the staff working at the Two Holy Mosques prioritize the comfort and safety of the pilgrims above all else.
The pilgrim described his encounter with the young man and the young man's question about his name as a "moment of relief," prompting him to prostrate in gratitude to God in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque. He praised the cheerful face and remarkable dignity with which the young Saudi man greeted him, reassuring him with the words "I'm at your service." The pilgrim concluded by expressing his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, for their exceptional care, praying that God bless the efforts of all those serving the Grand Mosque, and emphasizing that this incident demonstrates the vigilance and integrity of Saudi personnel and their ability to handle emergencies with high professionalism and compassion.
