MAKKAH: Haj sees voluntary work by many, but Makkans are heirs to this spirit of service. They also show enterprise by setting up professions that serve the guests of Allah.

The direct effect of Haj is that it allows people to serve the pilgrims directly. Over the years these services have become more specialized and systematic, as the number of people performing Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam, have increased enormously.

According to Abdul Jaleel Kaaki, president of the tourism committee at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, professions have been inherited from generation to generation — especially in the Tawafa, Zamazma (supplying Zamzam water), and guiding pilgrims. The same families have specialized in these areas of operation.

Kaaki said, “Some famous Makkah families concentrate exclusively on a single profession. In Tawafa, for example, there are families who specialize in specific nationalities and they have remained steadfast over generations.”

Some of the families teach their children the rudiments of these professions, especially during Ramadan and Haj when the whole families work together in serving pilgrims, he said, adding that some of these families have increased their range of service. “Some of these Makkah families who focus on these services have expanded to other fields such as pilgrim housing, transportation and food preparation.”

Some of the famous Makkah families are: Kaaki, a family that specializes in making cakes and bread; Halawani, a family that specializes in making sweets; Al-Saiegh, linked to gold production; and Al-Attar, a family associated with preparing perfumes.

Kaaki said that many who are involved in these season professions hold Ph.Ds and other degrees. But during Haj they take time out from their work to come and serve the pilgrims.

Talal Assad Mahdar, a teacher at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, said that his father was a famous Mutawif. After receiving his Ph.D in another field, he did not want to leave the Haj job that he had inherited from his father. “The main purpose behind working in Haj is not the financial gain,” Mahdar said, adding, "I am preserving the job that I inherited from my father. I also inherited from him the love of this job and I will make sure that I pass this sentiment along with an inheritance to my sons.”

Khalil Bahader, a mutawif, said that his inheritance was passed down from his grandfather to his father and now to me. “I was pressed into this service when I was nine years old,” he said, adding, “After becoming a school principal, I quit my job because my love for this job was stronger. Now my work in Tawafa is a full-time job.”

Bahader has involved his sons and daughters to work during Haj and also to get on-the-job training so they can continue this service after him. He said his family history of Haj services goes back over 200 years.

New professions have now emerged to serve pilgrims. One of those professions is driving pilgrims around on a motorbike, a common sight during Haj nowadays. Hasan Al-Sharef, one of the motorbike pool operators, said that he entered this profession after the Makkah municipality assigned him to supervise 120 motorbike drivers during Haj seasons. He saw an opportunity to go into business on his own, and now operates this service.

Al-Sharef said, “This is a perfect opportunity to serve pilgrims. I allowed my two sons to work with me last Haj season. Despite the fact that this work is simple, it is profitable and it is of great service to the pilgrims.”

Women too have continued the professions they have inherited. Many women participate in providing Haj services to pilgrims. Khadija Yeslim is an example of a Makkah woman who inherited a catering service from her family. Her family was known for providing pilgrims with food. She was involved in the family venture from a very early age and she was sent to one of the specialized colleges to learn cooking.

She said, “My inheritance is enabling me to make a living, and every year it is expanding. It also helps in providing jobs to women who help in every aspect of catering — preparing food, cleaning the utensils we cook in and generally keeping the areas of operation spotlessly clean.”