المملكة: from "Al-Matrash" To video calls… How did pilgrims’ communication with their families develop during the trip?

He pointed out that the caravans were completely dependent on the experience of the drivers in tracking the desert paths and the locations of the wells, where they would set up intermittent rest camps in which the pilgrims prepared their own food.

He touched on the most prominent gathering stations for pilgrims in Al-Ahsa, including the “Al-Mubarraz” area, whose name was associated with the emergence of the caravans and their settlement near water springs, in addition to the “Horse Arena” in Al-Hofuf, which used to receive pilgrims from the Gulf countries. Arabic.

Regarding the farewell rituals, Al-Khamis described those moments as a mixture of joy in performing the obligatory prayer with sadness and fear of the hardship of the road, as simple celebrations were held in which religious songs and supplications were chanted with the participation of neighbors and people of the neighborhood.

With regard to means of communication, he explained that the pilgrims used to reassure their families through people known as “the Messenger” or “the Metrash,” which later developed into landline phone booths, all the way to instant video communication applications in Nowadays.

The scout leader confirmed that the scout teams recorded a prominent presence since ancient times to serve the pilgrims, contributing to guiding, organizing and facilitating the movement of the guests of God in the holy sites.

Regarding the return trip, Al-Khamis indicated that the markets of Mecca were filled with pilgrims after the farewell circumambulation to purchase gifts and souvenirs to distribute to family, neighbors and children.

He revealed that the people were They raise a “green flag” above the houses as a common notification of the pilgrim’s imminent safe return, after which signs of joy and reception with coffee and tea spread throughout the neighborhood.

He concluded his statement by emphasizing that those who lived the experience of Hajj in the past realize the magnitude of the qualitative shift today, as the state has provided enormous capabilities in terms of roads and technical and health services that make the pilgrim feel at home due to the extreme comfort and organization.