In a major step to ensure the smoothest Hajj experience in history for Pakistani pilgrims, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has completed the first phase of a 10-day modern training program for Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj ahead of Hajj 2026.
The program marks a clear shift from traditional briefings to structured technical training. Drawing inspiration from international best practices in Indonesia, Turkey, and Malaysia, the ministry redesigned its approach to better prepare support staff for on-ground operations in Saudi Arabia.
For the first time, Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj were trained using digital maps developed by the Survey of Pakistan. Experts instructed participants on how to read maps through smartphones and PowerPoint to ensure accurate guidance for pilgrims.
Rescue 1122 conducted mock exercises on CPR and emergency medical aid, while Islamabad Police provided crowd management modules.
The primary objective of the program is to provide immediate and professional assistance to pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites of Mashair, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
Zulfiqar Khan, Coordinator for Makkah and Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, told that the training modules were developed after studying global benchmarks. He said experts from the Survey of Pakistan trained staff in digital navigation to improve precision.
The training is divided into two phases. The first joint session has been completed. The second phase, called “Functional Level” specialized training, will prepare food, transport, and building teams for their specific job desks to handle any crisis effectively.
To maintain transparency and accountability, online quizzes were conducted at the end of each session. More than 500 participants achieved a perfect score. The program also included road management training and basic Arabic language courses conducted through the International Islamic University to help bridge communication gaps in Saudi Arabia.
Khan stated that a significant number of female assistants have been included this year to ensure comprehensive support for all pilgrims. He added that assistants were provided with a digital view of Mina’s roads, bridges, and Jamarat routes, making them fully aware of camp locations and zones well before departure.
Under the new Nazim Scheme initiative, one supervisor will accompany a group of 188 pilgrims on the same flight from Pakistan and remain with them throughout their stay. The supervisor will manage daily worship routines, travel to holy sites, and the return journey.
As part of a pilot project, 23,000 Pakistani pilgrims will travel between Madinah and Makkah via high-speed train in just two hours. Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj have been specially trained in platform management to assist pilgrims during this transition.
The training also covered management of the round-the-clock “Saloat” shuttle service, which transports pilgrims from their accommodations to various drop-off points near the Haram for daily prayers.
A total of 870 Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, selected through a competitive process, will serve in the transport, food, and accommodation sectors during Hajj 2026.