Have you ever heard about PHVG? Are you a member of PHVG? Have you ever participated in their Nobel Cause? If “No” is the answer for all or any of these questions then you must read full article because it’s going to help you and your loved ones whoever is going to perform Hajj in the years to come.
Pakistan Hajj Volunteer Group is a non-governmental, non-political group founded in 2011 with an aim to earn reward from Allah by serving Hujjaj as they perform Hajj. They provide support services to Hajj pilgrims through mobilization of Pakistani volunteers in association of Pakistan Hajj Mission and PHVG Friends. If you have already performed Hajj or watched the transmission of Hajj you would have noticed some people especially in Mina and other holy sites wearing PHVG volunteer vest providing supports to Hujjaj as shown in pictures
They are Pakistani Volunteers residing in KSA and serving the Guests of Allah during Hajj season under the platform of PHVG. Let me describe you how these volunteers are prepared across Kingdom and how they serve the Hujjaj.
As the Hajj season begins, volunteers’ registration gets underway on PHVG website (https://www.phvg.com). Once the registration completes PHVG starts their training sessions in almost all regions of Saudi Arabia. At this point you must note that legal residence permit of Saudi Arabia is a must to serve the Hujjaj with PHVG. They conduct trainings of volunteers in two sessions in which volunteers learn how to facilitate Hujjaj. At the completion of two sessions every volunteer has to qualify by an online assessment at their site. After that PHVG officially announces the names of qualified volunteers who can serve the pilgrims with them.
I personally worked with them four years ago in 2015. Upon completion of training sessions, by the blessings of Allah, my name was shortlisted and I received invitation to serve the pilgrims. However, pilgrims starts arriving Mina from the evening of 7th Zul Hajj; authorities don’t allow anyone to enter Makkah city before 10th Zul Hajj to control illegal Hajj Pilgrims. Considering this, PHVG administration asked the Riyadh volunteers to gather at the departure location on 8th Zul Hajj in late evening where PHVG administration had arranged the transportation for volunteers and another final demonstration had been given to all volunteers before departure. We left Riyadh after Fajr on the 9th of Zul Hijj and reached Taif around 7 pm in the evening where PHVG administration arranged our short stay at Pakistan International School Taif with the assistance of the school admin and staff. We were supposed to reach Makkah on 10th Zul Hajj after Fajr prayers to provide support to Hujjaj coming back Mina from Muzdalifah but we were not allowed to cross the check post at Taif. We stayed at Qarn al Manazil meeqat until got the clearance from authorities. While staying at meeqat we heard about the unfortunate Mina stampede incident.
We reached to the building in Azziza in Makkah which was booked by the PHVG administration for volunteers to stay by noon where we met volunteers from Jeddah, Dammam, Khamis Mushait and other cities across KSA. After having lunch at the building we were ready to take the positions at the given location to our group.
Well, that was the beginning of a lifetime experience. As soon as we reached Mina we found hundreds and thousands of people who were lost and needed assistance to reach their tents. I can’t describe the happiness we felt serving the guests of Allah and the love we had been given by the pilgrims whenever we dropped any pilgrim to their tents – simply un-measurable
While staying there for three days PHVG administration took very good care of all volunteers providing all the required facilities free of cost including meals, hotel accommodation and transportation.
I really loved the way they are developing volunteers to serve the guests of Allah without expecting any appreciation or reward from anyone except Allah. May Allah accept everyone efforts specially the administration for providing the ease to His guests
However, I could not work with them after 2015; I know they are still serving the Hujjaj in far better way. Another best thing they have done in the past couple of years is the free mobile applications for Hujjaj and Volunteers.
“Hajj Navigator” is a free app developed by them which makes Mashaer navigation very easy for the iOS pilgrims. Android Pilgrims can install “Mina Locator” app from Google Play to identify route to different Camps (Maktabs), Train Stations, Mosques, Hospitals, PHVG Posts and other important locations in Mina with the reference of their current location.
Follow PHVG Facebook Page by pressing below button if you are residing in KSA and want to be part of their volunteer work in the next Hajj season
Special Thanks to PHVG team for their cooperation making it possible for me to write about my life time experience.
Syed Ovais Hashmi
SAUDI DESTINATIONS 