JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s first woman pilot, Hanadi Zakaria Al-Hindi, 37, is optimistic about receiving the green signal from Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) to fly its commercial aircraft.
“I am studying offers from various UAE airlines to fly commercial planes, but still hope to be able to enter into a contract with Saudia,” she told the Emirati site, Seven Days.
About those who might mock her dream to work as a pilot in a country that does not allow women to drive four-wheelers, she responded, “I think it’s better to have a driver in order to avoid the suffering of looking for a parking spot, but piloting an aircraft is a profession, and the question of driving does not occupy Saudi women.”
Al-Hindi recently participated in the Arab Women’s Forum in Aviation in Dubai after completion of her contract with the company of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
She expressed her appreciation to Prince Alwaleed, saying that he is one of her biggest supporters after her father in achieving the commercial pilot license from the Kingdom.
She said she benefited tremendously from the experience working with Prince Alwaleed, who owns a fleet of aircraft.
Kingdom’s first woman pilot has high ‘hopes’ to soar with Saudia
Kingdom’s first woman pilot has high ‘hopes’ to soar with Saudia
Malaysian minister commends Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan programs
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs implements Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program for distributing dates in 120 countries, iftar meals in 70 countries
RIYADH: Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan has commended Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan programs, saying that the implementation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ iftar and date distribution programs in Kuala Lumpur embodies the deep ties and humanitarian solidarity between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, the minister praised the Kingdom’s historical commitment to caring for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and attending to the affairs of Muslim nations, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He described the initiative as a generous gesture that reflected the values of cooperation, concluding with prayers for the continued security and stability of the Kingdom and its leadership.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ dates distribution program during a ceremony at the Saudi Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, SPA reported.
The total quantity allocated for distribution is five tonnes of premium Saudi dates, benefiting about 15,000 people in various Romanian cities and regions, as part of the ministry’s Ramadan programs implemented outside the Kingdom during the holy month.
A number of attendees and beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom, its leadership and people for the donation.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs also launched the iftar program for fasting Muslims in Korea at the Seoul Central Mosque, in the presence of the charge d’affaires at the Kingdom’s embassy in Korea, Fahd Al-Barakah.
Three tonnes of dates will be distributed, benefiting 12,000 people, while about 10,000 will benefit from the iftar program.
This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to promote the values of solidarity and compassion among Muslims worldwide during Ramadan.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs implements the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program for distributing dates in 120 countries and the program for providing iftar meals in 70 countries.
