MAKKAH — A group of young Saudi volunteers in Makkah have impressed pilgrims and visitors of the Grand Mosque by extending various services during the holy month of Ramadan. They are provide a huge support to the authorities entrusted with the task of managing millions of pilgrims in this peak season. The group, named Shabab Makkah, was formed 10 years ago as part of a movement to glorify the holy city of Makkah, the cradle of Islam that houses the Holy Kaaba and the Grand Mosque. The youth have taken up the responsibility of providing all required assistance to the guests of Allah. Saudi youth are recruited to the group after providing them with necessary training to carry out its mission effectively and impressively, Al-Madina Arabic daily reported. The courses enable the group members to serve pilgrims with humanitarian touch. "The members are also educated about the greatness of the work they are doing in the service of pilgrims without seeking any material benefit," said a senior organizer. "Their activities and services project a marvelous picture of Makkah youth and Saudi youth in general." The group's mission also reflects the welcoming attitude of Makkans toward foreign pilgrims. Its members engage in various activities in different places inside the Grand Mosque and its surrounding courtyards, the entrances of Makkah and parking lots in Kudai area. The group works in association with a number of government departments and agencies such as the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Police, Traffic Department, Haram Security Force, Transport Ministry, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Education and Health Departments, Haj Ministry, Culture and Information Ministry and a number of charitable organizations. Shabab Makkah members are happy with their humanitarian activities such as guiding stranded pilgrims to their camps, providing necessary guidance to pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque, assisting the elderly and sick pilgrims to perform tawaf (circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba), providing first-aid services to the injured and medical assistance to the sick, organizing movement of pilgrims to avoid overcrowding, and putting an end to negative practices inside and outside the mosque. "I forget the difficulties of fasting while serving the pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque," said Ahmed Al-Shahri, a member. Nawaf Al-Sulami said he feels happiness in serving pilgrims, braving the scorching sun. "I am proud of serving the guests of God this year and I cannot express my happiness in words. Eissa Al-Malki said he enjoyed providing guidance and assistance to the elderly pilgrims as he considered them like his parents and grandparents. "I joined the group only to gain the reward from Allah during this holy month. We support pilgrims to perform their religious rituals." Khaled Al-Tuwailaee said: "I feel honored to serve the guests of Allah at the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. We know that this noble work would enable us to get double reward from Allah and we do our work efficiently and sincerely." Ammar Al-Garni commended the group leaders for organizing this program, which would leave a good impression about Saudi Arabia and its people among foreign pilgrims. "Shabab Makkah seeks to improve its services to pilgrims and visitors of Makkah every year," he added. Saleh Othman Al-Najdi, manager of the group for assisting pilgrims to perform tawaf, said the program aims at helping the guests of God. "We are proud of extending every assistance to pilgrims and other visitors. We guide stranded pilgrims and provide medical assistance to sick pilgrims." Al-Najdi supervises the services of group members, organizes their activities, checks their arrival and departure and punctuality and makes sure they wear uniform.
