JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Duaa and Guidance, represented by its branch in the Makkah region, launched a voluntary initiative to bid farewell to pilgrims at Jeddah Airport by providing a scarf and various gifts. The “Hajj Scarf” initiative included participation of more than 100 male and female volunteers, and was launched in the presence of the director of the ministry’s branch in Makkah, Dr. Salem bin Hajj Al-Khamri, Director of Mosques Department in Jeddah Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Malki, and a number of volunteer leaders in Makkah, led by Princess Mashael bint Muqrin. During the inauguration ceremony of the initiative, scarves were distributed to the pilgrims, bearing various congratulatory phrases. Al-Khamri said that the initiative comes with the support and guidance of the minister, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, and aims to share the joy of pilgrims and bid them farewell at the airports. The pilgrims departing through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah said they appreciated the efforts of the ministry and government agencies and said they were able to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility through the facilities they provided. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said it is continuing to follow up on the departure of pilgrims from Madinah to ensure the smooth flow of movement in coordination between government agencies and relevant authorities to ensure their safe return to their countries. The Welcome Center in Madinah received more than 50,000 pilgrims on 1,200 buses and the ministry said it is grouping them to transport them to King Abdulaziz International Airport.