Over 1,700 join Pak volunteers group to serve Haj pilgrims

JEDDAH: More than 1,700 volunteers have so far joined the Pakistan Haj Volunteers Group (PHVG) after the Ministry of Haj’s permission and the Pakistan Haj Mission’s support in hiring the services of such volunteers.

According to Waseem Bukhari, the PHVG spokesman, the group has planned to engage about 3,000 volunteers this year.

The PHVG, he said, looks forward to serve the pilgrims, guiding and helping them in every step of the Haj rituals.

“We will be working in three shifts in Mina around the clock. PHVG’s major project is to recruit, train, mobilize and deploy our volunteers to support the lost, sick, old and tired pilgrims,” Bukhari said.

The online registration for volunteers is open, and that those who wish to serve pilgrims as a volunteer can register by logging on to http://www.Haj-volunteers. com, he said.

The PHVG is a non-profit group of volunteers from all fields of life who want to serve the guests of God of all nationalities.

Bukhari said: “Human interaction will enable them to understand the psychology of people and their needs; and that this does not only fulfil the requirements of the Ministry of Haj but also serves to spread feelings of tolerance, understanding and empathy.”

“Our command and control center works 24 hours a day during the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th days of Dul Hijj to support our volunteers for any additional assistance that may be required. We will provide accommodation, food and transport services to our volunteers,” he said.

Volunteers should be male, Pakistani nationals and should be legal residents in Saudi Arabia. They should be 16 years or older and in good health. He should have performed Haj already and should give assurance that he will not perform Haj while doing volunteer work.

Bukhari noted that it is a great opportunity for those who want to serve the pilgrims, as volunteers will receive a certification at the end of Haj for their efforts, which will add to their credentials.