Qatif and Al-Baha: A strategic partnership to unify standards for honoring the dead
In a qualitative step reflecting the development of the non-profit sector in the Kingdom, Al-Firdous Association for Honoring the Dead in Qatif Governorate and the “Jiwar” Association in Al-Baha region drew up a joint roadmap aimed at unifying funeral service standards and exchanging field experiences.
This initiative comes in the context of the great transformation that charitable work in the Kingdom is witnessing, as it moves from individual efforts to organized institutional work, which enhances the quality of life, preserves the dignity of the dead, and comforts their families.
National integration for humanitarian service
Al-Firdous Association hosted a high-level delegation from the “Jiwar” Association in a meeting aimed at breaking down the barriers of isolated regional work and moving towards a unified national bloc. Hafez Al-Faraj, head of Al-Firdous Association, emphasized that this cooperation aims to transfer Qatif's pioneering experience in managing cemeteries and crowds, and to benefit from Al-Baha's expertise, noting that openness to successful experiences is the foundation of development.
Hafez Al-Faraj – President of Al-Firdous Association
Professional model and record numbers
The meeting reviewed figures reflecting the scale of the achievement in Qatif, where the association is working on issuing 250 accredited practice licenses and has developed an ambitious plan to train more than 1,000 male and female volunteers, in addition to scheduling 18 specialized training courses. This methodology transforms volunteer work from mere casual participation into a professional practice subject to health and safety regulations and Sharia principles.
For his part, Saeed Al-Zahrani, head of the “Jawar” Association, praised the administrative governance and organizational level in Qatif, considering that the presence of highly trained staff and an integrated relationship with the municipality represents a model that should be generalized at the level of the Kingdom.
Saeed Al-Zahrani, President of the "Jawar" Association in Al-Baha
Social dimension and government support
The meeting wasn't limited to technical aspects; it also addressed the profound social impact of these services. Ali Al-Matroud, the Deputy Mayor for Services, explained that the municipality plays an enabling and supportive role for associations, emphasizing that the partnership between the public and private sectors is the cornerstone of providing services befitting the citizen's dignity.
Engineer Shafiq Al-Saif also noted the humanitarian dimension of the cooperation, as the coordination between the regions resulted in facilitating the procedures for transporting bodies between cities (such as Riyadh and Qatif), which reduces the burden on the families of the deceased at the most difficult times.
The "Certified Practitioner" license and the future of the sector
In the context of strategic development, Abdullah Al-Maharfi, Director General of "Ikram" at the Eastern Province Municipality, revealed a new initiative to create a "Certified Practitioner License" under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. This license aims to regulate the quality of work in cemeteries and ensure that all volunteers and staff are scientifically and practically qualified, with a focus on attracting young people and retirees.
Al-Maharfi concluded by praising the high spirit of volunteerism in the Qatif Governorate, which provided large numbers of volunteers, making Al-Firdous Association a model to be emulated in the region and the Kingdom.
