المملكة: A Scout initiative that harnesses translation applications to serve the guests of God in the Grand Mosque in Mecca
Scout Khaled Al Madani harnessed modern technology to break the language barrier with Guests of the Most Gracious at the Grand Mosque, transforming a personal experience of loss into a qualitative volunteer initiative that uses translation applications to serve pilgrims.
This humanitarian initiative came as a result of a difficult situation experienced by the 18-year-old young man, when he faced a language barrier that caused him to get lost inside an international airport.
This ordeal prompted Al-Madani to use Translationto return to his family safely, so that he has a firm conviction that language is the basic key to extending bridges of aid and assistance to people.
A vital link
With his joining the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association camps to serve pilgrims in Mecca, the young volunteer equipped his smartphone with the most widely spoken international languages to serve non-Arabic-speaking visitors.
And the field spark for the project was launched with direct support from the leader. The scout, Dr. Ismail Watra, embraced the idea and encouraged the young man to develop methods of direct communication with the crowds.
The ambitious scout succeeded, within a few days, in becoming a vital link supporting the pilgrims coming from Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, to guide them inside the corridors of the sanctuary.
The volunteer was able to change the stereotyped image among the visitors by surprising them with a smile and an interpretation that accurately met their needs, refusing to accept any in-kind gifts. He is satisfied with their sincere prayers that give him happiness.
Today, Al-Madani aspires to develop his linguistic skills academically to become a professional translator, stressing that a kind word in the mother tongue of the pilgrim represents the highest shining sign of Saudi hospitality to the world.
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