RIYADH: The Makkah Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the coordinating council for bus guidance for pilgrims from abroad, has launched a seasonal employment program for bus guides to empower Saudi nationals to serve pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The first flight from Pakistan will leave the country for Saudi Arabia on April 18, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said recently.
As the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites advances Hajj 2026 preparations, moving to on-ground operations to enhance efficiency and serve pilgrims, the Makkah chamber program aims to attract and train Saudi nationals in bus guidance, enhancing the efficiency of transportation and movement between the holy sites while improving the overall pilgrim experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program is delivered through an integrated operational system that meets high standards of organization and safety.
Program sessions introduce the roles and responsibilities of bus guides, alongside special training to enhance field readiness and ensure participants perform their duties efficiently during the Hajj.
The chamber noted that the program reflects its ongoing role in supporting the local labor market and strengthening partnerships with relevant entities, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop human capital and increase Saudization in sectors related to serving pilgrims.
Hajj, the once-in-a-lifetime journey for Muslims, is an annual five-day pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah and, as one of the five pillars of Islam, requires physically and financially capable Muslims to attend at least once in a lifetime.
Occurring every year from the 8th to the 12th of Dhulhijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, it involves rituals in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, including wearing white Ihram cloth, circling the Kaaba, and stoning the devil pillars.
This year the Hajj will occur in the last week of May.
