Saudi-based Pakistani group recruits 2,400 volunteers to facilitate Hajj pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Arabia-based Pakistan Hajj Volunteers Group (PHVG) has recruited 2,400 volunteers to facilitate Muslim pilgrims during this year's annual spiritual pilgrimage, a senior PHVG member said on Sunday.

PHVG is a volunteer service organization comprising Pakistani expatriates. The organization was established in 2011 with only 85 volunteers and over the course of 12 years, has expanded to include thousands of members.

The group operates within the boundaries of Saudi laws and regulations and works in close coordination with the Pakistani consulate in Jeddah and the Pakistan Hajj Mission. PHVG assists and provides guidance to pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina valley, Azizia, and Makkah cities of Saudi Arabia from the 10-12 of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah, when Hajj activities reach their peak.

“This year, PHVG recruited 2400 volunteers, including 200 key volunteers to set up a legal framework, create awareness materials, and secure financial resources to efficiently run the program,” Nasar Iqbal, a senior member of the organization, told Arab News over the phone from Makkah.

“Through this service, PHVG hopes to make the Hajj journey easier and more efficient for the pilgrims of Almighty Allah,” he added.

He said PHVG had organized various training programs to equip volunteers with the necessary skills to perform their duties effectively, adding that PHVG provided transportation, food, and accommodation to the volunteers in Azizia to carry out their tasks.

“The volunteers were not compensated for their services, as they are devoted to helping and guiding pilgrims to seek the reward and pleasure from Allah,” he added.

He said Pakistanis over 16 years of age and with a valid Saudi residence permit can apply to become a member of the PHVG.

Iqbal said volunteers would serve pilgrims in Mina for three days where they would provide them guidance and assist them. PHVG members would also provide wheelchair services for individuals who have difficulty walking.

“Additionally, we offer Tawaf-e-Ziyara to pilgrims who become ill during the pilgrimage,” he said. “Each sick pilgrim is accompanied by two volunteers who escort them from the hospital and return them after completing the Tawaf."

Iqbal said volunteers also assist pilgrims in reaching their hotels and residences by providing them guidance.

“We serve pilgrims irrespective of their nationality or origin,” he added.

This year, Saudi Arabia is expecting 2.5 million Muslims to perform the Hajj, an annual spiritual Islamic pilgrimage binding upon every Muslim adult who is sound of mind and also has the financial means to undertake the journey and visit Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia restored Pakistan's pre-coronavirus Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and scrapped the upper age limit of 65 years.