The young Saudis bridging language barriers during Hajj

The young Saudis bridging language barriers during Hajj
Young Saudi volunteers step in to translate and ease some of the challenges pilgrims face. (File photo)
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Updated 07 June 2025
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The young Saudis bridging language barriers during Hajj

The young Saudis bridging language barriers during Hajj
  • Volunteer translators allow pilgrims to overcome challenges when communicating in a foreign language
  • Diversity of the global Muslim community reflected in the number of languages spoken during Hajj

RIYADH: Each year, millions of Muslims from all over the world arrive in Makkah for Hajj — united in faith, but sometimes divided by language.

From Turkish and Urdu to Swahili and Bahasa, the diversity of languages in the holy cities is vast. For many, overcoming language barriers while navigating the logistics of Hajj can be overwhelming.

That is where young Saudi volunteers step in to translate and ease some of the challenges pilgrims face.

“We speak different languages, but we’re all here for the same reason,” said Deema Ibrahim, 21.

Ibrahim’s experience volunteering as a translator began with a change of plans. “I initially joined a team for emergency medical services,” she said. “But when we arrived, we found that the ambulance units were already full. So we were redirected to work in the road guidance division.”

Her unit was based near a hotel that housed non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims. As one of the few bilingual members of her team, Ibrahim’s role became essential.

“I also assisted deaf and mute pilgrims through remote video calls,” she said. “That allowed me to support a wider group of people who would otherwise be left struggling.”

One of the most emotional moments she experienced was helping an elderly woman who had become separated from her family. “She didn’t remember much and couldn’t communicate clearly.

“We eventually found a card with her camp name, called them, and her daughters came running. They didn’t expect to find her again. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

“I did it for the reward — and for the duas.”

Saad Al-Harbi, 23, was encouraged by a friend to volunteer.

“He said, ‘You speak good English, you live in Makkah, and you’re available — why not help as a group guide and translator?’” he recalled.

Most of the questions from pilgrims were about directions. “They’d ask how to get to Arafat, or where to perform the stoning, or how to navigate from one site to another.”

But what stayed with him most was the gratitude. “On the last day of Hajj, almost everyone in our group came up to thank me. They told me my help made a difference. That meant everything.”

Maha Al-Ahmari, 24, who speaks fluent Turkish, assisted several elderly Turkish origin or Turkish-speaking pilgrims who were part of a group of North African pilgrims in Muzdalifah.

“Many of them were completely disoriented and couldn’t communicate with security or their own groups,” she said.

“Just being able to speak their language calmed them instantly. One woman kissed my hand in thanks — I’ll never forget that.”

The Kingdom’s efforts to enhance services for pilgrims include multilingual signage, smart apps with translation features, and trained staff in key areas. Still, human contact is at the heart of everything guides do — especially when emotions run high.

Ibrahim said that some of the most difficult cases involved older pilgrims who were confused, hard of hearing, or dealing with memory loss.

“The pressure increases during the days of Nafr,” she said. “People get lost easily. And when they can’t speak Arabic or English, the stress becomes dangerous.”

She credits the government’s organization — from surveillance centers to camp identification systems — for helping volunteers like her stay effective. “We had support, but the human side of it — calming someone, assuring them — that was on us.”

Faris Al-Turki, 28, who volunteered in Mina, said he used Google Translate in real time to assist a pilgrim from Central Asia. “It wasn’t perfect, but it helped. He was trying to find his medication and explain a health condition. We figured it out.”

For many volunteers, the act of translation is an act of worship. It’s a way to serve the guests of Allah — a role that holds deep spiritual meaning in Saudi culture.

“You’re not just translating words,” Al-Harbi said. “You’re translating emotion. You’re showing them that they’re not alone.”

Ibrahim agreed. “It was exhausting, physically and mentally, but it was the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. Despite our different languages, we were all in the same sacred space, for the same reason. That unity — you feel it.”

In the end, most volunteers do not seek recognition. They often work behind the scenes, in the heat, in the chaos, among strangers.

But for the pilgrims who meet them — the ones who are lost, confused, scared — their presence is unforgettable. A calm voice. A familiar phrase. A gesture of patience.

And when the pilgrims return home, they may not remember every building or landmark, but they will remember that young Saudi who stepped forward, understood their words, and made them feel seen.


AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed
Updated 04 July 2025
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AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed
  • Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds

RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.

He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.

Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.

This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor
Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 
Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
 


Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed
Updated 03 July 2025
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Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed
  • Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.

Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.

Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.

Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.

“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”

The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.

He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change. 

He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.

The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.


Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament
Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

ANKARA: Members of the Saudi-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council met with their counterparts from Turkiye during a visit to the country.

During the meeting, held in Ankara, the two sides reviewed ways to further boost their relations and discussed other topics of common interest.

The Saudi delegation also met with Numan Kurtulmus, president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.