JEDDAH: Saudi women are eager to work in the country’s passport offices, as unprecedented numbers applied for jobs advertised by the General Directorate of Passports (GDP).
On Jan. 18, the directorate announced via Twitter that it was looking for female Saudi nationals to fill 140 jobs at airport passport offices and land borders.
Just a week after the application process began, amazed GDP officials learned that 107,000 Saudi women had applied and that the directorate’s website had received more than 600,000 hits.
Officials closed the registration for the jobs to prevent numbers of applications mounting further.
The directorate announced it has begun processing applications to fill vacancies for the rank of private, to be filled by Saudi women who are high school graduates or holders of an equivalent diploma.
Official GDP spokesman, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, told Arab News that it will be possible to process the applications electronically. He said that the directorate will sift applications through an automatic coding system, designed to ensure that all applications meet the criteria.
Successful applicants will need to be physically fit, aged between 25 and 35, and not married to a non-Saudi national. Women who grew up outside the Kingdom while their fathers served overseas are exempt from the Saudi nationals condition.
Approved candidates will have to successfully attend a 30-day training course before they will be allowed to begin their official duties.
Over 100,000 Saudi women apply for 140 passport control jobs
Over 100,000 Saudi women apply for 140 passport control jobs
240,000 Qur’an copies distributed to Umrah pilgrims in Ramadan
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, through its Madinah branch, carried out the distribution in line with its efforts to serve pilgrims and visitors arriving in the city
- Gift included copies of the Qur’an in various sizes, as well as translations of its meanings into several international languages
JEDDAH: A total of 240,000 copies of the Holy Qur’an were distributed to Umrah pilgrims at Al-Miqat Mosque in Madinah during February as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ gift program, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, through its Madinah branch, carried out the distribution in line with its efforts to serve pilgrims and visitors arriving in the city.
The gift included copies of the Qur’an in various sizes, as well as translations of its meanings into several international languages. The editions were produced by the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an to meet the needs of beneficiaries from diverse nationalities.
Distribution points witnessed emotional scenes as pilgrims expressed their joy upon receiving the copies. Several recipients voiced their gratitude for the gesture, praying for the Kingdom’s leadership and commending the care and attention provided from their arrival until the completion of their rituals.
The initiative was implemented under a structured operational plan that accounted for the high number of pilgrims at Al-Miqat Mosque, a key site where worshippers enter into ihram. Field teams ensured the handover process was conducted smoothly while providing necessary guidance to beneficiaries.
The effort reflects the ministry’s broader mission to serve the Holy Qur’an through its printing, publication and wide distribution, alongside continued work during the Umrah season to support, educate and guide pilgrims and visitors.
