MAKKAH: Over 39,000 volunteers contributed to the successful execution of Hajj 2026 in Saudi Arabia, supporting more than 1.7 million pilgrims under a coordinated seasonal plan overseen by the National Center for the Non‑Profit Sector (NCNP), as reported by the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
The NCNP confirmed that its operational strategies and tailored initiatives for this year’s pilgrimage were executed effectively, underscoring the Kingdom’s non‑profit sector’s expanding role in supporting one of the world’s largest annual religious events.
The center reported that more than 39,000 male and female volunteers were mobilized to deliver services at holy sites, border crossings, pilgrim accommodations, miqat points, roadside rest areas, and various locations throughout Makkah and Madinah.
This volunteer effort aligns with broader initiatives to enhance pilgrim services and foster community participation, consistent with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of expanding the social and economic impact of the Kingdom’s non‑profit sector.
The center noted that volunteers completed intensive qualification and training programs prior to deployment, enhancing their readiness to assist pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.
A central element of the operation was the third edition of the Hajj Volunteer Operations Center, acting as a real‑time command and coordination hub. The center linked 16 government and non‑profit organizations via a unified digital platform and operational dashboards, accelerating response times and improving the management of volunteer activities across the holy sites.
The NCNP credited the success of the operational plan to the support of Saudi leadership and the integrated efforts of government agencies and non‑profit organizations engaged in serving pilgrims.
According to figures from the General Authority for Statistics, more than 1.7 million Muslims performed Hajj this year, including 1,546,655 international pilgrims and 160,646 domestic residents.
Saudi authorities have increasingly integrated volunteer programs, digital coordination tools, and cross‑sector partnerships into Hajj operations as part of broader efforts to enhance pilgrim services and improve the management of large‑scale crowds during the annual pilgrimage.
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