Abrar Hussain Tanoli honoured with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for Hajj services

RIYADH: Abrar Hussain Tanoli, a Pakistani financial professional based in Saudi Arabia and a native of Mansehra district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been honoured with the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his decade-long services to Pakistani pilgrims and the wider Pakistani community in the Kingdom.

Tanoli was among the Pakistani nationals honoured with the prestigious civil award for outstanding social and community services in Saudi Arabia. The award was presented at a special ceremony organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, presented the award on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, recognising Tanoli’s sustained contribution to Hajj volunteerism, community welfare, healthcare initiatives and emergency assistance.

Tanoli is a founding member and Riyadh Coordinator of the Pakistan Hajj Volunteers Group (PHVG), an organisation that has been assisting pilgrims during Hajj since 2011. Over the years, he has played a key role in mobilising, coordinating and training Pakistani volunteers from different parts of Saudi Arabia to facilitate pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage.

The volunteers provide assistance to pilgrims in a range of situations, including guiding them to their designated tents, helping wheelchair users, facilitating movement around Hajj facilities and assisting sick and injured pilgrims in performing Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah while receiving treatment at Pakistan Medical Mission facilities.

PHVG works in coordination with the Pakistani Hajj Mission, Embassy of Pakistan and relevant Saudi authorities. In 2024, the organisation mobilised and trained more than 1,500 volunteers to serve pilgrims, with their services also receiving recognition from Saudi authorities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ahmed Farooq highlighted the demanding nature of the volunteers’ responsibilities during Hajj. He said the volunteers remain engaged around the clock during the five days of Hajj and continue serving pilgrims despite the challenging weather and extreme heat.

He said volunteers assist pilgrims who require medical attention, become separated from their groups or need wheelchairs and other support. Their services, he noted, are not limited to Pakistani pilgrims and are available to anyone who requires assistance.

The ambassador said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also facilitates the volunteers by providing information about pilgrims requiring assistance, reflecting the importance attached to their services during Hajj.

“We are very proud of all three of you for the work that you have done and for the good way that you have carried out these services,” Ambassador Farooq said.

For Abrar Tanoli, the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz represents recognition not only of his Hajj volunteerism but also of a broader record of community service spanning more than a decade.

Alongside his Hajj-related activities, Tanoli has been involved in organising free medical camps for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Pakistan Doctors Group and the Embassy of Pakistan. These initiatives have helped provide healthcare services to members of the community, particularly those requiring support.

He is also a founding member of the Al-Bir Group, which provides assistance to Pakistanis facing financial difficulties and other social challenges.

Tanoli’s community welfare activities became particularly significant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through PHVG, he participated in efforts to support Pakistani families stranded or facing difficulties during the crisis. Volunteers helped arrange and distribute food, medicines and other essential supplies to families struggling to meet their basic needs.

His welfare work has also extended to Pakistan, where he continues to support underprivileged families, deserving individuals and communities facing financial hardship.

The recognition has been warmly welcomed by members of the Pakistani community, who described the award as an honour for Tanoli, his family and his native area in Mansehra. Messages of congratulations have highlighted his services to Pakistani pilgrims and the wider community in Saudi Arabia.

The award is also being seen as recognition of the spirit of volunteerism among overseas Pakistanis who devote their time and resources to serving fellow citizens and pilgrims.

Tanoli’s journey reflects a sustained commitment to public service alongside his professional career in the financial sector. From assisting Hajj pilgrims and supporting medical camps to providing emergency relief and helping families facing financial difficulties, his community work has remained an important part of his contribution to Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and at home.

The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz therefore marks a significant national recognition of Abrar Hussain Tanoli’s long-standing services to pilgrims, community welfare and humanitarian assistance.