Saudi Girls in Scouting Volunteer in Large Numbers During Pilgrim Service
In Saudi Arabia, more than 150 Girls in Scouting recently joined fellow Boy Scouts and male Rover Scouts in a united volunteer effort to support the massive effort of serving pilgrims and guiding guests during Al-Haj season. This is the largest number of Girls in Scouting who have supported services during the Haj season and represents a major milestone since the establishment of Girls in Scouting within Saudi Arabia.
The Girls in Scouting were selected for their exceptional volunteer skills and actions shown during previous events and community service activities. Through their active role in serving the guests from a diversity of backgrounds making the pilgrimage to The Holy Mosque, also known as AlMasjid Al-Haram, the Girls in Scouting promoted a positive image of Saudi women and showed how young people can make a contribution to their communities as global citizens.
The 150 Girls in Scouting included leaders representing several institutions who collaborated together to support the success of the pilgrimage, and who were also involved in the Saudi Rovers project, a joint initiative launched by Alwaleed Philanthropies and World Scouting in collaboration with the Saudi Arabia National Scout Organization.
The Saudi Rovers project is part of an ongoing effort to establish Rover groups for girls in Saudi universities, including Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, King Khaled University, and King Saud University.
This project has not only equipped female leaders with the life and leadership skills to contribute as active members of society but has also supported the National Scout Organization’s vision to promote Scouting for girls and young women in Saudi Arabia.
Princess Sama bint Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud, President of the Saudi Girl Scouts Committee, emphasised the significant opportunity to expand the responsibilities of girls in Scouting during the Haj in the upcoming years. On a recent visit, she commended the passion and commitment of the girls involved who are serving their communities and country by providing high-quality services to the guests of The Holy Mosque, or AlMasjid.
The efforts of these Scouts also extend beyond the pilgrimage to assist patients and visitors at the King Faisal Hospital in Makkah, offering guidance within the hospital premises. Additionally, Girls in Scouting in the country are playing a critical role in the guidance centres of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, providing valuable support to pilgrims and distributing information materials.
Through their commitment to community service and volunteerism, Girls in Scouting in Saudi Arabia are not only leaving a positive impact on guests experiencing the Haj but are also shaping a brighter future for themselves and their country by playing an active and influential role in society.
The project was implemented as part of the Scouts for SDGs global initiative, thanks to the longstanding support and partnership of Alwaleed Philanthropies via the World Scout Foundation. Scouts for SDGs enables young people with skills for life and empowers them to take the lead in community development efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
