Intensive preparations are underway to launch an initiative to assist pilgrims
Arab National Bank (ANB) announced the completion of all technical and logistical preparations for the launch of the fourth edition of its pioneering community field initiative, "In the Service of the Guests of God," for the 1447 AH Hajj season. This volunteer initiative, which coincides with the start of the Hajj rituals, is distinguished this year by the broad participation of more than 1,000 male and female volunteers from among qualified young Saudi professionals. These volunteers will work together across five field service routes to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims.
General context and historical background of volunteer work in Hajj
This strategic step by Arab National Bank comes within the framework of Saudi national institutions' commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which places great importance on volunteer work with the aim of reaching one million volunteers. Historically, serving pilgrims to the Holy Mosque in Mecca has always been an honor sought after by all governmental and private entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Arab National Bank is considered one of the leading financial institutions that has undertaken the responsibility of activating its role in social responsibility in a sustainable manner. This initiative reflects the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to dedicate all human and material resources to serving the pilgrims and facilitating their performance of the Hajj rituals with ease and comfort.
Strategic partnership and high-level field training
To enhance the quality of services provided, Arab National Bank (ANB) entered into a strategic partnership with Health Holding Company through the "Hajj in Good Health" campaign. This partnership aims to achieve effective integration in healthcare and preventative care, adding real value to unified national efforts. As part of its field preparations, the bank organized a series of intensive training workshops in Riyadh, the capital, which lasted for five days. These workshops focused on preparing and qualifying leaders and supervisors of volunteer teams to ensure the provision of high-quality services within the initiative's five main tracks: medical services, first aid, translation, guidance and counseling, and logistics.
The importance of the event and its local and international impact
This event holds immense importance and has a multifaceted impact. Locally, it empowers Saudi youth and hones their leadership and field skills through engagement in organized and professional volunteer work. Regionally and internationally, providing care for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world reflects the Kingdom's and its institutions' outstanding performance in crowd management and the provision of humanitarian and healthcare services, leaving a profound and positive impression on the pilgrims returning home.
The initiative's achievements and aspirations for the year 1447 AH
In this context, Mr. Saad Al-Huraiki, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Media at Arab National Bank, stated that the initiative has successfully established itself as one of the most prominent volunteer initiatives during the Hajj season. These high-quality field efforts were recently crowned with the initiative winning the Ghazi Al-Gosaibi Award in the volunteering category, confirming the quality of its outcomes and its effective impact.
Al-Huraiki noted that the workshops focused on the field operations mechanism and its integration with the "Hajj in Good Health" campaign to ensure the continuity of preventative care for pilgrims from the beginning of their journey until their arrival at the holy sites. The initiative, in its fourth edition for the year 1447 AH, aims to expand its reach to include more than 650,000 pilgrims. In addition to volunteer efforts, more than 200,000 sun umbrellas will be distributed to protect against heat exhaustion, along with more than 10,000 personal hygiene kits, ensuring that pilgrims can perform their rituals in good health and peace of mind.
