The young scouts and leaders participating in the Umrah service camp at the Grand Mosque in Mecca have achieved a new national milestone, with their efforts to serve pilgrims exceeding 45,000 volunteer hours during the first half of Ramadan. This achievement is part of the comprehensive national efforts aimed at providing the utmost comfort for the pilgrims and facilitating their performance of the rituals in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The roots of volunteer work in the Two Holy Mosques
This scouting presence is not a recent phenomenon, but rather an extension of a long and distinguished history of volunteer work that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud of. This effort is based on the authentic values of Arab and Islamic hospitality and aligns directly with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers in the non-profit sector. Serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors is an honor that the sons and daughters of the nation strive to attain, and these volunteers represent a shining example of civilization, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to serving Muslims from all corners of the earth.
Statistics highlight the role of scouts in serving pilgrims
The camp, organized under the auspices of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, saw the participation of approximately 600 scouts and leaders representing various scouting sectors across the Kingdom's regions and governorates. These dedicated individuals were distributed across multiple field routes to ensure that all visitors' needs were met. The figures demonstrate a clear commitment to the work, with participants in the guidance and orientation route alone contributing around 22,500 volunteer hours through the participation of 300 scouts, effectively supporting the work of the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.
Variety of field routes and support services
efforts to serve pilgrims to guidance; they also included extensive logistical and security support. 180 scouts participated in supporting public security, contributing a total of 13,500 hours, while 60 scouts helped organize prayer areas within the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, logging 4,500 hours. The humanitarian aspect was also highlighted in the "Little Minor" initiative, for which 30 scouts were dedicated to caring for the children of pilgrims, totaling 2,250 hours, thus enabling their families to perform the rituals with ease and comfort.
Additional touches for visitor comfort
On the side of support services that create an atmosphere of spirituality and comfort, 15 scouts participated in the watering route with a total of 675 hours, while 15 others took on the task of perfuming the corridors and courtyards, recording 1,125 volunteer hours, during which more than 75,000 milliliters of luxury perfumes were used during this short period.
The social and humanitarian impact of these efforts
The importance of these efforts extends beyond mere organization to profound social and humanitarian dimensions. Locally, these initiatives foster a sense of responsibility and belonging among Saudi youth, honing their skills in crowd management and public interaction. Internationally, these services leave a lasting positive impression on pilgrims from around the world, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a champion of peace and a servant of Islam. The presence of scouts alongside security personnel and service providers creates a harmonious system that ensures the smooth flow of movement and the safety of the pilgrims.
In closing, camp leader Ziad Qadir explained that the public service camps will continue to provide their services until the end of the holy month, stressing that the field efforts provided by the scouts embody the values of the scouting movement based on giving, and reflect the honorable image of the nation’s sons in the purest places on earth.
