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.


Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 

Updated 25 May 2025
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Eco-friendly and safer walkways expanded to 33% in Makkah Hajj sites 

  • Roads made of flexible rubber asphalt expanded to 33 percent this year
  • Walking on regular roads linked to 38 percent of foot and ankle injuries during Hajj

MAKKAH: Muslims performing Hajj this year will be seeing better quality and safer walkways in Makkah, thanks to the increased use of a new road construction solution.

Saudi authorities have announced the expansion of roads made of flexible rubber asphalt by 33 percent this year, with work on the road extending from Namirah Mosque to Al-Mashaer train station in Arafat, raising the total area to 16,000 square meters.

"Instead of accumulating used tires, which are a major source of air pollution when burned, this technology recycles them and transforms them into a flexible asphalt layer that absorbs impact and provides comfortable walking paths," the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The report quoted the Kingdom's Roads General Authority (RGA) as saying tests conducted on asphalt surfaces and regular sidewalks "cause strong reactions on pilgrims’ ankles and feet, especially the elderly, who constitute 53% of pilgrims."

About 38 percent of foot and ankle injuries that are dealt with by healthcare facilities during Hajj have been attributed to walking on regular walkways.

As explained, smart surfaces that come with the use of flexible rubber asphalt help absorb shock and relieve pressure on the human body’s joints, especially the ankles and feet.  

The RGA experiment is in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030’s commitment to sustainable development, smart cities, and enhancing the safety and comfort of all residents and visitors.

Saudi officials expect the number of pilgrims in this year's Hajj to surpass last year's figure, which the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) counted at 1.83 million. Of that number, 1.61 million arrived from outside the Kingdom through various entry points, while 221,854 were internal pilgrims, including citizens and expatriates.

Hajj 2025 is expected to start on June 4, subject to confirmation by Saudi Arabia’s official moon-sighting authorities.

As of May 21, 2025, a total of 755,344 pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom from abroad through all air, land, and sea entry points, according to the General Directorate of Passports, also known as the Jawazath.

Indonesian pilgrims are anticipated to lead the biggest delegation again for Hajj 2025. Last year, a total of 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj, followed by Pakistan with 180,000. India came third at 175,025, Bangladesh was fourth at 127,198, and Nigeria completed the top 5 with 95,000 pilgrims.


Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve

Updated 25 May 2025
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Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve

  • More than 120 wildlife births also recorded at King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve

TURAIF: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR), Saudi Arabia’s largest, has so far resettled more than 1,245 wild animals, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The reserve has also recorded over 120 births among its wildlife, SPA said, citing records of the KSRNR Development Authority as it marked International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.

Located in the Kingdom’s north, the reserve is home to over 290 species of migratory birds, more than 550 types of wild and grazing plants, and over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

KSRNR is home to over 290 species of migratory birds. (SPA photo)

Among these animals are the rare deer, the Arabian gazelle, the Arabia oryx, and the kestrel, a medium-sized bird of prey.

KSRNR covers an area of 130,000 square kilometers, spanning the provinces of Hail, Tabuk, Jouf, and the Northern Borders.

Map of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve. (Courtesy of KSRNR)

The reserve hosts a diversity of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, and rare monuments dating back to about 8,000 BC.

Also within the reserve are villages, such as Al Qurayyat and Tubarjal towns in the Jouf and the city of Turaif in the Northern Borders. 

The authority has said the reserve is dedicated to preserving unique natural habitats, transforming into a haven for wildlife, a crucial stopover for migratory birds each year, and a natural sanctuary with its balanced environment and diverse landscapes.

Since its inception, the authority has focused on raising environmental awareness within the local community to bolster its conservation efforts.

Citizens participate in the KSRNR's vegetation program as part of the national effort make the Kingdom greener and combat desertification. (SPA photo)

Last year, the KSRNR authority also reported having planted more than 2,400,000 seedlings, rehabilitated 700,000 hectares, removed 119 tons of hazardous waste, and scattered 4 tons of local seeds in the reserve.

The voluntary seed scattering initiative covered six valleys on reserve territory, including Nayal Valley of Niall Shuaib Abu Talihat, Fager Valley, Shaib al Qilayyib, Sarbout Plath, Mot and Masaha Valleys. 

“The two-month initiative aims to develop vegetation and increase the green area of the reserve, with the participation of several voluntary associations and volunteers, by scattering an estimated four tons of seeds,” the authority posted on its website.


The Saudi artist giving traditional crafts a new voice

Updated 24 May 2025
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The Saudi artist giving traditional crafts a new voice

  • Fatimah Al-Nemer honors generational knowledge through collaborations with Saudi craftswomen

RIYADH: What if traditional crafts were not relics of the past but blueprints for the future? Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer, whose work is on show at Riyadh’s Naila Art Gallery, transforms ancestral materials into contemporary narratives, blending palm fronds, clay, and wool with concept and meaning.

For Al-Nemer, heritage is not something to simply preserve behind glass. It is something to touch, reshape and retell. And traditional crafts are far more than manual skills; they are living archives.

“In the Arabian Peninsula, people adapted to their environment by turning clay, palm fronds, and wool into tools for survival and then into objects of timeless beauty,” she told Arab News.

Saudi Arabia’s traditional crafts, shaped over generations, carry stories that Fatimah Al-Nemer reinterprets through contemporary art techniques. (Supplied)

These crafts, shaped over generations, carry stories that Al-Nemer reinterprets through contemporary art.

Her project, Al-Kar, exemplifies this approach. Named after the traditional climbing tool used by date harvesters, the piece was created in collaboration with Saudi craftswomen.

Al-Nemer transformed humble palm fibers into a three-meter-long rug, elevating simple material into a conceptual installation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Through her work, Fatimah Al-Nemer dissolves the boundaries between craft and art, heritage and modernity.

• Those curious about the artist’s work can view some of her pieces at solo exhibition ‘Memory of Clay,’ held at Naila Art Gallery until May 30.

“This is not merely an aesthetic celebration,” she said. “It’s a rewriting of our communal identity. Our heritage is rich — not only in materials, but in stories.”

Artist Fatima Al-Nemer with her artworks. (Supplied)

Her work goes beyond decorative craft; she treats traditional practices as conceptual frameworks, weaving narratives through textiles, clay and palm fiber.

Her collaborations with artisans ensure that generational knowledge is embedded in each piece. “The material is never separate from the experience,” she added. “It becomes witness — marked by the presence of women, place and memory.”

Participation in international exhibitions has expanded Al-Nemer’s artistic outlook, allowing her to view local materials like clay and textiles as globally resonant.

This is not merely an aesthetic celebration. It’s a rewriting of our communal identity. Our heritage is rich — not only in materials, but in stories.

Fatimah Al-Nemer, Saudi artist

“The global art scene recontextualizes challenges like the marginalization of craft, and transforms them into dialogues about identity and memory,” she said.

For Al-Nemer, craftswomen are not merely implementers, but collaborators. “They carry manual intelligence honed across generations,” she added, commending institutions like Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission and Herfa Association that are now empowering artisans in alignment with the Kingdom’s cultural transformation.

A person contemplates an artwork by Fatima Al-Nemer. (Supplied)

“Craft is no longer confined to the past — it is a living contemporary practice with global relevance,” she said.

Those curious about the artist’s work can view some of her items at solo exhibition “Memory of Clay,” held at Naila Art Gallery until May 30.

The exhibition offers a contemplative journey into themes of memory, belonging and identity transformation, using clay as a visual and cultural symbol.

Artist Fatimah Al-Nemer answers questions from the audience at her exhibition, "Memory of Clay," which runs in Riyadh until May 30. (Supplied)

Featuring 12 works created through mixed media and a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques, Al-Nemer reimagines ancient Saudi crafts through a modernist lens, presenting clay not simply as raw material, but as a timekeeper and silent witness to human evolution.

“Clay is not just a medium,” she said. “It is a mirror of our collective memory, shaped as we are shaped, cracking to reveal hidden layers of nostalgia and wisdom.”

This philosophy materializes in the tactile depth, earthy hues and intricate details that define her works — each piece echoing the raw pulse of life.

To young Saudi women hoping to innovate through craft, Al-Nemer offers this message: “Believe in the value of what you hold. The world doesn’t just want the product — it wants the story behind it.”

With expanding institutional support and evolving creative spaces, the artist sees an opportunity: “Craft can thrive as both art and enterprise as long as authenticity remains at its core.”

Through her work, Al-Nemer dissolves the boundaries between craft and art, heritage and modernity.

Every thread and every texture becomes a testament to identity — crafted by hand, read by the eye and understood by the heart.

 


City Walk brings wildlife encounters to Jeddah

Visitors can touch, feed, and observe tame species under the supervision of experts and handlers. (AN photo)
Updated 24 May 2025
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City Walk brings wildlife encounters to Jeddah

  • More than 50 rare and exotic bird species from Indonesia, Australia, Africa, and South America are part of the experience this year

JEDDAH: Nature lovers are heading to the Birds and Reptiles Cave, part of Jeddah Season, at City Walk for a wild experience.

The exhibit, which runs until June 14, presents visitors with an array of exotic animals, from vibrant, free-flying birds to reptiles housed in carefully crafted enclosures. Visitors can touch, feed, and observe tame species under the supervision of experts and handlers.

Visitors can touch, feed, and observe tame species under the supervision of experts and handlers. (AN photo)

More than 50 rare and exotic bird species from Indonesia, Australia, Africa, and South America are part of the experience this year.

Mohammed Bukhari, one of the exhibit’s wildlife experts, said, “We offer a unique experience that weaves together the magic and diversity of nature’s wildlife within an entertaining and consumer-friendly environment.”

FASTFACT

More than 50 rare and exotic bird species from Indonesia, Australia, Africa, and South America are part of the Birds and Reptiles Cave.

He emphasized the cave’s broad appeal, noting that it caters to both wildlife enthusiasts and casual visitors. “Parents are increasingly bringing their kids to connect with nature and experience wildlife,” Bukhari added. “From schoolchildren to the elderly, everyone gets rejuvenated and energized after spending some time exploring nature with such birds and reptiles.”

Visitors can touch, feed, and observe tame species under the supervision of experts and handlers. (Supplied)

Hamdaan Al Buadaani from Taif, who visited the cave with his son, said: “My son was very happy to see birds flying over his head, holding little snakes in his hand, touching the big and small turtles and getting up close with macaws, owls, kangaroo and monkeys.”

Adel Al-Mansouri, who visited with his family, praised the cave as a great outing for children. “It is an ideal place to view reptiles and birds,” he said. “There is a good variety of birds and reptiles and my kids were so happy to touch and play with birds.”

 


Saudi e-game developers shine at Riyadh’s ‘Zero to Hero’ bootcamp

Teams Hanka, Nomad, and AlUla were honored for their excellence in game design, development, and innovation. (SPA)
Updated 24 May 2025
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Saudi e-game developers shine at Riyadh’s ‘Zero to Hero’ bootcamp

  • The 12-week bootcamp aimed to enhance participants’s skills in game design and development while exploring industry trends, challenges, and opportunities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority concluded the “Zero to Hero” gaming bootcamp by recognizing three winning teams for their standout entrepreneurial ideas in the electronic gaming sector.

Held at the authority’s support center in Riyadh, the event was attended by Deputy Gov. for Entrepreneurship Saud Al-Sabhan, along with industry experts and specialists.

Teams Hanka, Nomad, and AlUla were honored for their excellence in game design, development, and innovation. (SPA)

Teams Hanka, Nomad, and AlUla were honored for their excellence in game design, development, and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The event drew wide participation, with attendees showcasing their projects to a select group of experts and investors, the SPA added.

Teams Hanka, Nomad, and AlUla were honored for their excellence in game design, development, and innovation. (SPA)

The 12-week bootcamp aimed to enhance participants’s skills in game design and development while exploring industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Out of 148 applicants, 10 projects advanced, benefiting from 47 specialized workshops that boosted their technical and creative capabilities.

The program unfolded in four phases: an introduction to the bootcamp, intensive game development training, prototype creation, and final project presentations before a panel of experts and investors.

The initiative reflects the authority’s commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s gaming industry by nurturing local talent, fostering innovation, and empowering entrepreneurs to compete on regional and global levels.