600 volunteers participate in crowd management at the Grand Mosque during Ramadan
Her Royal Highness Princess Sama bint Faisal bin Abdullah Al Saud, President of the Saudi Arabian Girl Scouts Committee, conducted an important inspection visit to the Umrah service camp at the Grand Mosque. This visit aimed to assess the efforts of the Saudi Arabian Girl Scouts Association and to gain firsthand insight into the vital role played by male and female volunteers during the holy month of Ramadan. The inspection tour included monitoring the field operations and integrated services provided by the Girl Scouts in cooperation with relevant authorities, with the goal of ensuring the comfort of pilgrims and facilitating their performance of rituals in a safe, organized, and spiritually enriching environment.
A glorious history of Saudi scouts in serving the pilgrims
The Saudi Arabian Scouts' involvement in serving pilgrims dates back decades, with the association officially established in 1961. Since then, the Scouts have undertaken a major national and Islamic responsibility: supporting various government agencies in crowd management and providing logistical and humanitarian support at the Two Holy Mosques. These efforts are amplified during major religious seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj, when combined to accommodate the millions of Muslims who flock from all corners of the earth, reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's honorable image in caring for the Islamic holy sites and serving their visitors.
Efforts of 600 volunteers in crowd management at the Grand Mosque
The field witnessed the active participation of over 600 scouts, both young men and women, and their leaders during the current month of Ramadan. These volunteers are dedicated to performing numerous and crucial tasks, including:
- Organizing the movement of crowds within the corridors of the Holy Mosque in Mecca and the surrounding courtyards to prevent overcrowding.
- Guiding lost pilgrims and visitors and directing them to their correct destinations using maps and modern technologies.
- Providing the necessary assistance to the elderly and people with special needs to ensure that they perform the rituals with ease and convenience.
Her Highness Princess Sama affirmed that these noble deeds reflect the established values of the Scout Movement based on initiative and community service, praising the honorable image that the sons and daughters of the nation portray in the fields of humanitarian and voluntary giving.
Empowering Saudi women and Vision 2030
Her Highness explained that the growing female participation in these volunteer programs clearly reflects the path toward empowering Saudi women and enhancing their roles in community and humanitarian work. This trend aligns perfectly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers and promote a culture of volunteerism across all segments of society. She noted the association's commitment to continuously expanding the involvement of girls, increasing their numbers year after year in scouting activities. This embodies the high sense of national responsibility and the values of giving and generosity that characterize Saudi society towards those visiting the Holy Mosque in Mecca.
Supporting wise leadership and international impact
Princess Sama bint Faisal commended the generous support and keen interest shown by the wise leadership – may God protect them – towards the scouting and volunteer sector, particularly in light of the exceptional care provided to the Two Holy Mosques and the mobilization of all resources to serve visitors. She noted that the Kingdom's success in managing millions of pilgrims in limited spaces and short timeframes serves as a global model for crisis management and crowd control. She concluded her visit by expressing her deep appreciation for the outstanding efforts of the leaders, both men and women, and the young people in the field, who are providing a comprehensive system of services befitting the Kingdom's stature and global leadership in serving the guests of God.
