The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawa and Guidance, has employed some 5,000 volunteers to help with serving Hajj pilgrims during the upcoming pilgrimage.

The branch has launched 247 opportunities via its volunteering platform to coincide with the start of the Hajj season. 

These include distributing more than 235,000 water bottles at 3,850 mosques, providing umbrellas to pilgrims for protection against the sun, distributing booklets and providing meals.

The initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of volunteering within communities.

Earlier, the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque launched its operational plan for Hajj, promoting voluntary and humanitarian work.

It recognizes the Two Holy Mosques as attractive environments for such efforts.

The annual pilgrimage is regarded as one of the pillars of Islam and the largest act of mass pilgrimage in the world every able-bodied and financially able Muslim is obliged to undertake at least once during their lifetime.