A young volunteer helps an old pilgrim at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The youths of Makkah find self-fulfilment these days as they go around to spread cheer and help in whatever way possible during the current Haj season.

With smiles on their faces, they render various services for free, specially to the old ones who are already weak but trying hard to perform a Muslim’s lifetime dream, which is to perform Haj.

“Along with other Saudi youths, I have been working as volunteer during Haj every year,” online publication Sabq quotes a local youngster who refused to give his name.

He added that “I and other fellow Saudi youths find a meaning to our existence by being volunteers during Haj.”

But he and other youngsters also render service as volunteers during Ramadan, saying that “we have been volunteers for quite a number of years during the holy month and Haj.”

He expressed the hope that the humanitarian act would catch on among the youths which is in consonance with the spirit of the season.

These Saudi youth guide the elderly in whatever way possible, specially if the latter are already bound in a wheel chair and thus limited in their mobility or movement.

They also help find missing pilgrims who might have been separated from their kith and kin or guide those who could not locate a place they’re looking for.

One thing that encourages them as volunteers is the fact that they receive citations from a number of government agencies as well as the tribute from the pilgrims themselves.

Such citations mean a lot to them that sometimes a rivalry or competition as volunteers develops.

However, sanity and goodwill prevail so that they eventually work together as volunteers without wanting something in return.

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