Translation And Inquiry Response Services At Grand Mosque Benefit 358,300 Pilgrims

Hadiyah Charity Association for Pilgrims and Visitors reports that its Translation and Inquiry Response Project is helping non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims and Umrah performers at the Grand Mosque. Implemented with the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, the initiative aims to give clear religious information and guidance, and to support visitors’ worship experience in a structured and accessible way.

The service runs every hour of the day throughout the year, according to the association. Operational work increases during busy periods, especially the holy month of Ramadan and the Hajj season, to match higher visitor numbers and crowd density. This continuous schedule is designed to keep information channels open and reduce confusion for pilgrims at peak times.

Chief Executive Officer Eng. Turki Al-Hutairshi stated that the Translation and Inquiry Response Project has shown clear results over a full operational year. The project has served more than 358,300 beneficiaries so far. Eng. Turki Al-Hutairshi explained that 351 trained translators work in an integrated system, providing services in more than 20 languages around the clock, across organised work shifts.

The association noted that the project does more than answer questions in different languages. It includes simultaneous interpretation for religious content, coordination between inquirers and the responsible service providers, and organisation of pilgrims’ movement at service points. The team also offers Saudi hospitality and distributes awareness publications, while applying defined organisational and operational standards across all activities.

Field implementation currently covers more than 16 locations within the Grand Mosque area, according to the association. Work is scheduled across four daily shifts to maintain continuous presence. Translators are assigned under a daily operational plan that targets readiness and efficiency, with extra focus on high-demand seasons when visitor numbers rise and guidance needs increase.

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The Translation and Inquiry Response Project forms one element of a broader group of initiatives managed by Hadiyah Charity Association in strategic partnership with the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The association states that these efforts aim to improve visitors’ experiences and strengthen cooperation with relevant entities, in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership in serving guests of the Two Holy Mosques.

With inputs from SPA