A young girl from Saudi Arabia is believed to be the youngest volunteer in assisting Muslims to perform Hajj pilgrimage, and she takes great pride in serving the faithful. Mariam Mahdar, whose age was not disclosed, expressed her enthusiasm for offering help and serving guests of the Almighty during Hajj’s approaching season. She said she is proud to offer assistance to the pilgrims and takes great pride in serving them.
Mariam continued to say that she becomes very sad when the Hajj season ends because she must wait a long time for the pilgrims’ return. She also mentioned that she is learning English at school to enable her to communicate well with non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims. When I offer water and meals to the pilgrims, they wish me well. What I’m doing is a great blessing that many people wish to do, added Mariam.
Many Saudis, including Mariam, annually volunteer to provide various services and care to the guests of the Almighty during the Hajj period. Across the country, individuals come forward to provide voluntary support such as security men, doctors, engineers, and others. Ayad Al Jarhadi, a Saudi volunteer, has used his private car to transport pilgrims for free from a border town to the holy city of Mecca for more than 30 years. He stated that he transports old people and women for free to please Allah.
Muslims who can physically and financially afford to do so have to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. While Hajj is one of Islam’s five obligatory duties, many individuals view it as an honor and blessing to support the guests of the Almighty. Mariam is among the numerous Saudis who think this way, in addition to the Saudi man, Ayad Al Jarhadi, whose legacy of volunteerism has stretched over the course of decades.
As Muslims gather in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, a sense of community emerges as people from different backgrounds, regions, and cultures come together in the worship of Allah. To support the pilgrims in their journey, volunteers like Mariam and Ayad Al Jarhadi take pride in helping those on a spiritual quest.
