Over 3,000 Saudi scouts working with government agencies to assist pilgrims during Hajj

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Updated 28 June 2023
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Over 3,000 Saudi scouts working with government agencies to assist pilgrims during Hajj

  • 3,500 male and female Saudi scouts are working at holy sites to assist pilgrims during Hajj this year

JEDDAH: Each year, numerous scouts from all corners of the Kingdom gather to assist pilgrims during Hajj.

Regardless of age or gender, these dedicated individuals devote their time and energy to supporting pilgrims to fulfill their Hajj rituals with ease.

This year, 3,500 scouts have been deployed around the holy sites in Makkah, according to the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association.

They are classified into two age groups: the advanced scout category and the ranger’s category. The advanced scout category consists of scout members aged between 15 and 17. The ranger’s category comprises individuals aged 18 to 22, including scout leaders (150 of whom are women) and friends and pioneers of SASA.




The scouts help pilgrims by guiding them, assisting them, and ensuring that they reach the holy sites or their designated camps. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah/Supplied)

The scouts have been distributed among government-related entities, such as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce, Makkah municipality, Hajj Security Forces, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hady and Adahi.

The scouts affiliated with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah primarily focus on assisting lost pilgrims by providing guidance and directions, ensuring they reach their designated camps safely.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association has been active since 1961.

• This year, there are 150 women among the scout leaders.

• The scouts have been distributed among government-related entities, such as the Ministry of Health and Hajj Security Forces.

• The scouts working with the Makkah municipality ensure vendors on site are following all regulations.

Mubarak Al-Dosari, a pioneer scout and the general supervisor of the SASA media committee, said: “One of our top priorities is to promote the essence of volunteerism and foster a sense of national identity among scouts, rangers, and scout leaders. We also strive to present a positive and vibrant portrayal of Saudi scouts serving pilgrims.”




The scouts underwent extensive practical training in civil defense, first aid, physical fitness, rescue operations, security awareness, and firefighting. (Supplied)

In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, the scouts are responsible for coordinating the pilgrims’ access to the ministry’s offices in the holy sites and distributing Hajj-related books and publications in various languages.

Those working with the Ministry of Commerce are tasked with monitoring the prices and quality of food items available in the holy sites. They also oversee the validity of licenses granted to vendors and cooperate with ministry teams to investigate cases of potential commercial fraud.

The scouts working with the Makkah municipality ensure vendors on site are following all rules. They also work together with the Ministry of Health to help direct pilgrims to healthcare facilities.




The scouts help pilgrims by guiding them, assisting them, and ensuring that they reach the holy sites or their designated camps. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah/Supplied)

The Islamic Development Bank engages scouts in coordinating the arrival of pilgrims at the slaughterhouses, offering on-the-go guidance, and overseeing the movement of pilgrims from their accommodations to the Jamarat.

Before arriving at the holy sites, the scouts underwent extensive practical training in civil defense, first aid, physical fitness, rescue operations, security awareness, and firefighting.

Al-Dosari said: “The association has taken many steps with (its) partners to make this season a success by all standards.”




The scouts underwent extensive practical training in civil defense, first aid, physical fitness, rescue operations, security awareness, and firefighting. (SPA)

The general supervisor also said that each year, camps also adopt the latest technologies to assist pilgrims.

Scout leaders spoke to Arab News about serving pilgrims in Makkah and other holy sites.

Ahmed Rawas said: “Serving pilgrims is considered a great honor that fills all the citizens of this country with pride.”




The scouts help pilgrims by guiding them, assisting them, and ensuring that they reach the holy sites or their designated camps. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah/Supplied)

Participating in the service of pilgrims is a prestigious opportunity, Rawas said, highlighting the significant efforts and resources, both technological and human, that the Kingdom has dedicated to various projects aimed at assisting the pilgrims.

Abdulaziz Al-Rabee also echoed similar sentiments and expressed joy and enthusiasm in working alongside his colleagues.  

One of our top priorities is to promote the essence of volunteerism and foster a sense of national identity among scouts, rangers, and scout leaders. We also strive to present a positive and vibrant portrayal of Saudi scouts serving pilgrims.

Mubarak Al-Dosari, General supervisor of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Associaton media committee

Issa Al-Taysan said that “serving pilgrims is a medal of honor from God, who invites people of this country to work with dedication and sincerity.”




Mubarak Al-Dosari, General supervisor of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Associaton

It is worth mentioning that SASA stands out as one of the initial global associations to receive the Global Support Assessment Tool, a recognition typically given to associations that meet international quality standards established by National Scouting Organizations. This includes enhancing and upgrading the services provided to their staff at all levels while staying up to date with advancements.

SASA initiated its active service in these camps in 1961, starting with a modest team of 150 scouts.




The scouts help pilgrims by guiding them, assisting them, and ensuring that they reach the holy sites or their designated camps. (AN photos by Huda Bashatah/Supplied)

The service then expanded to encompass scout groups from Arab and Islamic nations between the 1965 and 1974 Hajj seasons.

However, SASA then decided to reserve this honorable service exclusively for the sons and daughters of the Kingdom from 1975 Hajj onwards until today.

On Dul Hijjah 9, pilgrims left Mina and made their way to Mount Arafat for a day of prayer.

Volunteers and Saudi scouts were stationed along the roads with water, umbrellas and maps in hand, ready to assist the pilgrims in their 2.5 km walk to Mount Arafat.  

“We are here to serve the pilgrims by leading them to their campsites so that they can reach them in the fastest and easiest way,” Yasser Al-Budaiwi, a Saudi scout, told Arab News.  

“We also serve them in other ways, such as providing them with water, umbrellas, and food. This is our work, praise be to God,” Al-Budaiwi added. 

This year’s Hajj is the largest gathering of pilgrims since 2019. On Tuesday, the General Authority for Statistics announced that the total number of pilgrims had reached 1,845,045.

Representatives from private companies such as DHL and STC accompanied the Saudi scouts in their work, giving out cool water, juice, laban and umbrellas.

Zamil Ghazawi, a team leader with DHL, told Arab News: “We began passing out umbrellas directly after Fajr prayer this morning and will continue doing so until 10:00 a.m.” 

DHL brought 250,000 umbrellas to distribute among the pilgrims, he added.

“People are happy and relaxed, and they all stop by to take an umbrella,” Ghazawi said.


Saudi Arabia ‘categorically rejects’ Israel’s plan to seize Gaza territory

Updated 08 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia ‘categorically rejects’ Israel’s plan to seize Gaza territory

  • Israeli authorities on Monday approved plans to take over territory and forcibly displace population
  • Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemns Israel’s violations of international law

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “categorically rejected” plans by Israel to expand its military operations in Gaza and seize control of the territory.

The ministry also “strongly condemned the continued Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”

Israeli authorities on Monday approved a new ground operation to take over parts of Gaza, forcibly displace Palestinians into the south of the territory, and control the distribution of humanitarian aid. The Israeli army is calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

The announcement sparked widespread international condemnation. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it stood firmly opposed to any attempted expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, and stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for failures to comply with international resolutions.

The Kingdom continues to have “unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, in line with international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital,” the ministry added.


Saudi project destroys 600 more Houthi landmines and other explosives in Yemen

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi project destroys 600 more Houthi landmines and other explosives in Yemen

  • The devices, cleared from various parts of the war-torn country in recent months, were safely detonated on Wednesday
  • Project Masam has removed nearly 500,000 mines across Yemen since its launch in 2018

RIYADH: Members of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance, also known as Project Masam, safely detonated 600 mines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive devices on Wednesday.

The project’s engineers had demined and removed the devices over the past few months from various parts of Yemen, including the town of Beihan and the districts of Usaylan and Ain in Shabwah governorate.

Hussein Al-Aqili, commander of the project’s survey team, said they carried out the destruction operation in the Thahba area of Ain district on Wednesday as part of their ongoing mission to clear mines and other remnants of war in Yemen, and save civilian lives.

The project has cleared nearly 500,000 mines from the country since its work there began in 2018.

Last week, Ousama Algosaibi, the managing director of Masam, warned that the Houthis continue to exploit periods of truce to plant more mines across Yemen.

“We are in a constant race with the Houthi militias; we clear mines from one side while they plant more on the other,” he said during an interview with Al-Ekhbariya TV.


Saudi ambassador meets Bahrain King’s media affairs adviser

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi ambassador meets Bahrain King’s media affairs adviser

Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi was received by Nabeel bin Yacoub Al-Hamer, media affairs adviser to the King of Bahrain, in Manama on Wednesday.

The adviser expressed his pride in the solid fraternal relations and deep-rooted historical ties that bind the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also wished Al-Sudairi continued success in his duties, which will further support and strengthen the fraternal ties, mutual coordination, and close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in various fields, and particularly in the media.


 


Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities

  • Push for accessible arts programming reflects wider goals for social development

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission has launched a national initiative to expand access to music education for people with disabilities, marking a key step toward their greater inclusion in the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.

Focused on Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, the program trains instructors to teach students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

It supports the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to elevate quality of life and ensure opportunities for all segments of society.

Music education expert Issa Al-Qarbi praised the initiative as a transformative step in supporting individuals with disabilities.

“Music is a highly effective medium for stimulating brain activity, developing motor and social skills, and enhancing overall psychological well-being,” he said.

The initiative includes adapting teaching methods, specialized curricula and fully accessible learning environments aligned with the requirements of the Mowaamah certification, a program which provides support to increase participation among disabled individuals in the labor market.

In designing the program, the commission partnered with international experts in music on the curricula and programs that align with global best practices.

The existing models were reviewed using the standards set by the National Association for Music Education.

The commission’s goal is to empower students to express themselves through music, boost their self-confidence and enhance their social, cognitive and motor skills.

The students will receive extended training that prepares them for group performances while supporting their artistic, cognitive and social development. Sessions with parents and community members are also being planned to raise awareness and encourage family engagement.

Al-Qarbi said that long-term sustainability and lasting impacts could be ensured by closer partnerships between the education and healthcare sectors.

He praised the initiative as a regional model, opening the door to further research and innovation.

He said that teaching music to individuals with disabilities went beyond technical skills, nurturing essential personal qualities such as patience, discipline and social engagement, which in turn positively influenced many areas of their lives.


Saudi surgeons separate Egyptian child from parasitic twin

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi surgeons separate Egyptian child from parasitic twin

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah says operation is one of the most delicate carried out by his team
  • Procedure takes 8 hours and involves multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants

RIYADH: A medical team from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program successfully completed a surgical procedure on Wednesday to separate an Egyptian child from a parasitic twin.

The operation on 8-month-old Mohammed Abdulrahman Juma at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh took eight hours and was split into six stages. It involved a multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants, including specialists in anesthesia, neurosurgery, pediatrics and plastic surgery.

A parasitic twin, also known as a vestigial twin, is an identical twin that stopped developing during gestation and is physically attached to a fully developed twin. Because it did not fully develop, it cannot survive on its own and often dies in the womb or during birth.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who heads the surgical team and is an advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, said the twins were joined at the back, lower chest, abdomen and pelvis. The parasitic twin lacked a head and essential organs, including a heart and kidneys.

Al-Rabeeah described the operation as one of the most delicate his team has been involved with, and thanked his colleagues for their efficiency and skill during the surgery, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Mohammed and his parents flew to Saudi Arabia in March after King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued directives for medics in the Kingdom to help the child.

The operation on Wednesday was the 63rd separation procedure carried out under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has reviewed 149 cases of patients from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.