The success of the translation project at the Grand Mosque to serve the pilgrims
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to providing the best services to pilgrims, the translation project at the Grand Mosque in Mecca an exceptional milestone during the holy month of Ramadan. The Hajj and Umrah Gift Association, in strategic partnership with the General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, announced the success of its unique initiative aimed at overcoming the language barrier for non-Arabic-speaking pilgrims and worshippers, thus facilitating their performance of rituals and enabling them to understand the guidance with ease and peace of mind.
Developing services for pilgrims: Continuous care for visitors to the Two Holy Mosques
Throughout history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on developing the services provided at the Two Holy Mosques. This continuous development has not been limited to massive urban expansions and infrastructure improvements, but has extended to organizational and guidance aspects that directly address the needs of pilgrims. With the increasing number of Muslims arriving from all corners of the earth, with their diverse languages and cultures, the urgent need arose for effective communication channels. Hence, the idea of providing simultaneous translation, spatial, and religious guidance services emerged as an extension of historical efforts to care for those visiting the Sacred House of God and ensure they receive accurate guidance from reliable sources.
The mechanism of the translation project at the Grand Mosque during the month of Ramadan
Engineer Turki Al-Hutairshi, CEO of the Hajj and Umrah Gift Association, explained the details of the tireless work behind the translation project at the Grand Mosque . This pioneering project relies on a specialized team of 100 qualified translators who provide simultaneous interpretation services in more than 20 different international languages. The team's tasks include accurately conveying the inquiries of pilgrims to service providers and religious scholars within the Grand Mosque. To ensure coverage of the high volume of visitors and pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan, the project operates within a comprehensive 24-hour operational system, providing continuous support to the multilingual guidance and information system.
The global and local impact of breaking down language barriers in the Grand Mosque of Mecca
The importance of these initiatives extends beyond simply providing temporary services; they leave a profound impact on Muslims worldwide. Locally, the project significantly contributes to organizing and facilitating the flow of crowds within the Grand Mosque by guiding visitors in their own languages, thus reducing congestion and confusion and ensuring the safety and security of worshippers. Regionally and internationally, this achievement reflects the Kingdom's shining example of Islamic and humanitarian efforts, as pilgrims from the farthest reaches of the East or West feel a sense of belonging and care when they are answered in their native tongue. This success is evident in the numbers: since its launch at the beginning of Ramadan, the project has served 356,869 beneficiaries among visitors to the Grand Mosque, including Umrah pilgrims and worshippers, confirming the system's efficiency and its ability to accommodate and meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims with high competence and capability.
