HAYA Bint Yusuf, a Saudi student is going for Haj as a volunteer this year. She says, “I want to guide the people who are very old and not familiar with the area, some people don't know even the nearest places from their tents during Haj time. I have seen many old and aged people lost in the middle of the road, and I would like to help them as I have been to Haj many times and I have some idea about the places and rituals associated with it.” A number of women from different regions across the Kingdom offer their help to the pilgrims as volunteers during the Haj. They undertake myriad activities -- from providing assistance to lost pilgrims to offering free food for thousands of pilgrims. Although volunteer work is carried out by several wel- known charitable organizations under the supervision of government or private establishments, there are many people who opt to act as volunteers considering it their personal duty. Recently, the General Administration for Volunteerism was established with departments staffed by men and women in Madina, Jeddah, the Eastern Province and Riyadh. “Volunteer work is highly recommended and we encourage and appreciate the efforts of volunteers in helping pilgrims during the Haj,” said Dr. Inam Raboi, Head Volunteer from the association. “The concept of charity is a solidly ingrained value in Islam and the qualities of generosity and hospitality to visitors have been an institution in Saudi Arabia since time immemorial,” she said. The associations for volunteers train them in various aspects like managing crowds and help them prepare for and take action in emergency situations. Gulshan Hameedi, from Siddiqi Haj group said she specifically goes with her Haj group being a volunteer. “It is not easy to manage a crowd of around two million at a time. For that, if volunteers work on a personal level with the pilgrims, many complications can be decreased and the crowd can be directed easily,” she said. Moreover, youngsters in the community and the family will be inspired by the volunteers, and it will serve as an example for them in future. According to Hameedi, it is important to create awareness about volunteerism and social work among ordinary people, and Haj is the best season to show kindness and hospitality toward the guests of Allah. “I still remember the fire that broke out at Haj some ten years ago. It all happened very suddenly and no one knew how to manage it,” said Asma Bakr, a Saudi educationist, who is going with a welfare organization as a woman volunteer. Bakr also recommends that student volunteers and social workers should be given preference during college admissions and awarded scholarships in order to encourage volunteerism on a larger scale. According to Suha Mohammad, a member of a volunteer association in Riyadh and Jeddah, “We try to direct our women volunteers to help create a concept of volunteer work as early as possible. To train the volunteers is not enough, actually they must be taught to work instinctively to help and guide pilgrims.” The concept of volunteering is deep-rooted in Islam, and it is time to revive this blessed tradition for the benefit of others, as well as our elves.
