ISLAMABAD: As part of renewed efforts to facilitate pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom this year, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports (GDP) has appointed a number of students who speak 10 different languages at Hajj terminals in Jeddah and in Madinah to assist international pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
The students are well versed in English, Spanish, Indonesian, Japanese, Persian, Urdu, Turkish and other languages, and their presence at the airports in the two cities is expected to result in better communication and dealing with people from different parts of the world.
The Saudi authorities have also taken other steps to help pilgrims perform Hajj rituals with maximum comfort and ease.
If pilgrims are lost, in need of help, have a medical emergency or faced with any other issue during Hajj this year, they can just dial 911 and a team of competent young Saudis will be ready to help.
The National Center for Security Operations at the Saudi Interior Ministry launched its 911 call center five years ago in Makkah, with three additional centers in Riyadh, Shargiyah and Madinah.
Workers at the centers also speak various languages, including Urdu, English, French, German and Indonesian, in addition to being adept at English, Spanish, Japanese, Persian, Turkish and other tongues.
Besides, a 24-hour, seven days a week call center has also been set up, which sends out SMS-es with the following message: “Dear pilgrims, your service is an honor and your security is our duty. Policemen are ready to fulfill your urgent needs on 911.”
The center is also active on Twitter, updating pilgrims with the latest news on weather, and other information pertaining to their travel.
Urdu speakers at Hajj terminals to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Urdu speakers at Hajj terminals to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
- Effort is part of measures to communicate with visitors in their local language
- Round the clock services ensures pilgrims always have help on hand
