As part of ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims, 530 young scouts, including boys, girls, and scout leaders, are continuing their dedicated field work to organize and manage crowds at the Prophet's Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This diligent work is part of a comprehensive governmental and institutional effort that reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role in providing the highest quality services to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.
The historical context of the scouts' efforts in serving the pilgrims
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance and meticulous care on serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, a principle firmly established since its founding. The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association is a strategic and long-standing partner in managing religious seasons, with scouts participating in Hajj and Umrah services for decades. This participation has evolved into a professional, institutionalized effort based on intensive training and high-level qualifications, making the Saudi Scouts a model of excellence in volunteer work and crowd management during exceptional seasons such as the holy month of Ramadan, which witnesses a massive influx of Muslims from all corners of the globe.
Field plan details and crowd management
Scouts contribute continuously and intensively to organizing traffic and the movement of worshippers in the courtyards and areas surrounding the Prophet's Mosque. Special attention is given to entrances and exits that experience high volumes of people, particularly during peak times before and after the obligatory prayers and the Taraweeh prayers. The scouts work alongside traffic police and security personnel to facilitate pedestrian crossings and ensure smooth traffic flow, aiming to create a safe and reassuring environment for visitors to the city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Integrated humanitarian and organizational services
The scout teams are deployed in a strategically planned manner at key locations including the courtyards of the Prophet's Mosque, health centers, Quba Mosque, and the Dhu al-Hulayfah Miqat. These teams provide a comprehensive range of humanitarian and organizational services, including:
- Pushing wheelchairs designed for the elderly and people with mobility impairments.
- Visitors to the Prophet's Mosque are being organized in a regular manner to prevent overcrowding.
- Guiding lost people and helping them reach their destinations and places of residence.
- Caring for lost children in the crowd until they are safely returned to their families.
- Organizing patients of health facilities with high efficiency to facilitate receiving treatment.
The scouts also directly supervise the movement of people entering and exiting through the gates and stairs to serve the elderly, in a humanitarian scene that promotes the culture of volunteering and the values of national belonging among the younger generations.
Expected impact and institutional integration
At the local, regional, and international levels, this organizational event holds immense importance. The successful management of crowds at the Prophet's Mosque positively impacts the Kingdom's global image and underscores its exceptional ability to host millions of Muslims annually in safety and security. This aligns directly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program. The scout camp serves as a practical platform for instilling the values of giving through qualified personnel working as a unified team to present the best possible image of the nation's citizens to visitors.
This Ramadan season is witnessing high-level coordination between the scouting sectors, the Ministries of Education and Sports, Taibah and Islamic Universities, and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, to maximize the quality of services provided. This collaboration reflects the integration of national efforts to highlight the Kingdom's humanitarian role in the care of the Two Holy Mosques and to encourage youth to actively engage in public and community service.
