The Pilgrims Guidance Center, a branch of the Ministry of Haj in Madinah, provided services to pilgrims during this year’s Haj season, helping 7,676 pilgrims who lost their way find their places of accommodation.

The center also answered 3,914 inquiries online and distributed 783 maps and educational brochures to pilgrims in various languages.

There was also a “lost and found” service available, where items found are stored until the owner reclaims them. There were 74 lost items, of which 34 were successfully returned to their owners.

Muhammad Al-Bijawi, director of the Ministry of Haj’s Madinah branch, said that these guidance centers were opened in many areas frequented by pilgrims. “They play a large and important role in implementing the operational plan of the branch,” he said.

“These centers work around the clock during the Haj season, since many pilgrims get lost due to crowding. They also receive recommendations and complaints from pilgrims,” he said.

“The people who work in these centers on either a part-time or full-time basis are carefully selected. Some of them can speak several languages and they have experience in handling the public and take pilgrims’ observations and complaints,” he said.