MECCA: Every day, a small band of men in red shirts make their way quietly to Masjidil Haram here.
The colour of their attire stands out so that each member of the 17-man team can be spotted easily.
They are members of the Mecca patrol team, who are stationed at seven strategic points of the massive mosque to help pilgrims who are lost find their way back safely, as well as receive religious queries from pilgrims.
Team leader Mohammad Amer Jawahil said his team comprised 12 auxiliary policemen, three policemen and two Military Religious Corps personnel.
“They are divided into two teams and work in three shifts round the clock.
“I call them the ‘Lipan Bara’ team,” said Amer yesterday after the daily morning parade and briefing outside Masjidil Haram.
He said their main task was to ensure Malaysian pilgrims returned to their hostels safely.
“Most of the cases occur on the first day when pilgrims are unsure of the direction of the gates and hostels.
“They happen mainly at night or at dawn when pilgrims prefer to do their prayers.”
Amer said there had been cases of pilgrims losing their bearings after some gates are closed.
“Sometimes, they are asked to exit from a different gate and this confuses them. This is when my team members will help them.”
On religious queries, Amer said the team members would help with minor queries and refer them to Tabung Haji religious experts for major queries.
The team’s three shifts are 7am to 2pm, 2pm to 10pm and 10pm to 7am.