Translators make it easy for pilgrims
jeddah — Lost in translation? Not in the holy city of Makkah, thanks to a dedicated squad of interpreters gearing up to help two million faithful speaking dozens of languages at the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Most of the world’s Muslims do not speak Arabic — Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim community by population, while tens of millions of the faithful are native speakers of Urdu.
In all, 80 per cent of pilgrims are non-Arabic speakers, according to Mazen Al Saadi of the official Haj translation bureau.
His team provides 24/7 interpretation services in English, French, Farsi, Malay, Hausa, Turkish, Chinese and Urdu — the most widely spoken language among Haj pilgrims.
For Samir Varatchia, who made the trip to Makkah from France’s Indian Ocean island of Reunion, the men in grey vests — the uniform of the official Haj translation team — are a welcome sight.
“I really don’t know much Arabic,” Varatchia said. “The French translation will help us understand things, including the sermons.”
Tunisian interpreter Abdulmumen Al Saket is happy to help, fielding frequent requests for his phone number. “We try to help as much as we can, even with reading the maps,” he said.
“Some ask for our personal phone numbers, to call us later if they need help,” he added.
Pilgrims come to Makkah from across the world, including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Many speak only Urdu, Saadi said.
Many of the signs directing pilgrims are translated into English, Urdu and in some cases, French.
Makkah’s Grand Mosque provides a range of translation and interpreting services to pilgrims.
Specialist departments deal with sermons and rulings, and a hotline is available in dozens of languages to answer religious questions.
But for practical matters, Saadi’s 80-strong team is indispensable.
The department has been in place for four years, he said, and is being continuously expanded to deal with rising demand. “Most (pilgrims) don’t speak Arabic and are afraid to ask in the event of an accident,” Sanaullah Ghuri, an Indian translator, said in Arabic.
A deadly stampede in 2015 left more than 2,000 pilgrims dead in Mina, the Makkah neighbourhood.
Many pilgrims were unable to understand security forces’ instructions, delivered in Arabic.
Providing services for two million pilgrims is no small feat, and authorities are pushing a “smart Haj” initiative this year to meet the rising demand.
That includes apps providing information on emergency medical services and geographic guides to Makkah and Mina.
80%
Of pilgrims are nonArabic speakers, says a Saudi official