RIYADH: For many Saudi volunteers, Hajj is not simply about organization, crowd management or guiding pilgrims through the holy sites. It is about witnessing fear turn into relief, confusion into reassurance, and strangers into people they may remain in touch with long after the pilgrimage ends.
Across Makkah, Mina and the surrounding holy sites, volunteers work in healthcare, guidance, hospitality, and emergency support, often spending hours helping elderly pilgrims, assisting lost visitors, and navigating language barriers with people from across the world.
Abdullah Ali, who has volunteered during Hajj for more than a decade, said serving pilgrims has become part of his identity. He helps guide lost pilgrims and participates in reception and hospitality programs serving visitors throughout the season.
“You first see pilgrims when they are lost and afraid,” he said. “Most of them are elderly, and you can see fear in their faces. Some feel completely overwhelmed by the feeling of being alone.”
He described how those emotions often shift the moment pilgrims are reunited with their groups or safely guided back to their hotels. “The expressions on their faces completely change,” he said. “The smile comes back, and then you start hearing the sincere prayers they make for you.”
