JEDDAH: The video of a Saudi family’s tearful farewell with their maid, Houriya — who has spent 33 years in their household — went viral on social media platforms.
People who’ve seen the video couldn’t hold back the tears as they watched Houriya wipe her tears as the family’s children, adolescents and adults bid her one final goodbye after 33 long years of “raising and caring” for them.
A member of the family, Abdullah Al-Arfaj, told Arab News: “Houriya first came to my maternal grandfather’s house in 1986 and has been in our family for 33 years. During those years, she’d travel to Indonesia to visit her own family, but she always came back. She helped raise my maternal uncles, my generation, and now our children — that’s three different generations. She has become indispensable to us, an entity that exists alongside my grandfather, Rashid and my grandmother, and we view her respectfully, kiss the top of her head, just as we do to elders in the family.”
“Now that she’s been gone only a number of days — she took away the serenity that comes with having an elder in the family. My grandmother passed back in 2012, my grandfather in ‘93, and the gap Houriya leaves is something we all feel in the family.”
Al-Arfaj revealed that he hadn’t anticipated this unbelievable reaction the video garnered. He disclosed that it was not his intention, or his family’s, to spread it for views.
“This is a person we cherish whom we had to let go, not due to any illness or fatigue, but out of respect to her growing old and tired, to give her rest and to be merciful as would anyone in our situation.”
On any communication happening between the family and Houriya, Al-Arfaj said that the family plans to visit her hometown in the summer to check up on her, and they are waiting for her to call as soon as she settles down in Indonesia.
Saudi family bids tearful goodbye to Indonesian maid after 33 years of service
Saudi family bids tearful goodbye to Indonesian maid after 33 years of service
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
