ISLAMABAD: One thousand one hundred and sixty Pakistani expatriates have joined the Hajj mission as volunteers this year to serve pilgrims arriving from their home country, senior officials told Arab News last week.
This is after two years of coronavirus restrictions where Saudi Arabia has allowed up to one million Muslims— both from within the kingdom and countries around the world— to perform Hajj. All pilgrims need to be vaccinated, however, and under 65 years of age.
One of the five pillars of the Islamic faith is the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which requires all physically and financially capable Muslims to visit Makkah at least once in their lifetime.
According to officials, out of 1,160 Pakistani expats serving as volunteers, 410 have joined Pakistan’s Hajj mission run by the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, while 750 have come from the Saudi-based Pakistani Hajj Volunteers Group (PHVG).
Mr. Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Pakistan’s director-general of Hajj in Jeddah, has announced that 810 volunteers have arrived from Pakistan to serve pilgrims under the government scheme.
The volunteers are responsible for carrying out Hajj-related contracts in Pakistan with building, transport, and catering companies. Mr. Mirza expressed his appreciation for the 400 and 10 local volunteers who have joined the Hajj mission from within the kingdom.
“They also manage repair work at these buildings and ensure the provision of all necessary facilities there,” Mirza said.
Muhammad Ismail, a central coordinator with the PHVG, said that all volunteers had to go through two mandatory training sessions and an online exam before being able to take up their duties. He told Arab News that this year around 750 volunteers would work in two shifts in Mina and Azizia, and that they would also provide guidance to pilgrims, help those who were sick or disabled to circumambulate the Holy Kaaba, and take up various distribution projects in Azizia.
“PHVG works under the guidance and complete support of Pakistan’s Hajj Mission,” he added.
Hidayat Ullah, a Pakistani expatriate living in Madinah, said he took leave from his office to join the volunteer mission.
“I am honored to be able to serve our country’s pilgrims fourth time as a volunteer,” he told Arab News. He went on to say that many Pakistani expatriates from Makkah and other parts of Saudi Arabia were working as volunteers for the same reason.
Jawad Shafique, an electrical engineer based in Makkah, said his basic aim was to facilitate pilgrims and ensure they did not face any problems during their stay.
“I am working in the building management department,” he said, “where we ensure the provision of all basic facilities to pilgrims.”
