On International Women’s Day, Saudi women celebrate new freedoms

Hala Hussein Alireza makes a life-changing journey on June 24, 2018 after Saudi Arabia ended a ban on women driving. Opposite: An end to passport restrictions has opened new horizons for women in the Kingdom. (AFP)
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Updated 20 November 2020
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On International Women’s Day, Saudi women celebrate new freedoms

  • Until recently, women had to rely on a male guardians for most aspects of their everyday life
  • The present generation is living in a golden age, where gender will no longer be an obstacle

RIYADH: Life for a woman in Saudi Arabia, especially a Saudi woman, was full of frustrations until recently.

Women were treated as second-class citizens and had to rely on a male guardians (mihram) for most aspects of their everyday life.

Accomplishing anything independently was almost impossible without a mihram. An adult female was unable to travel without the consent of a man.

Saudi women had to adhere to social rules implemented by extreme conservatives and could not apply for jobs or dine out without the permission or company of a male guardian.


Slowly but surely King Salman paved the way for women to live independently, free from these restrictions.

On Aug. 1, 2019, a decree signed by King Salman declared that Saudi women no longer needed permission from a male guardian to travel or obtain a passport.


It was a life-changing moment for Saudi women, no matter how small it seemed to the outside world.

And since that decree less than a year ago, coupled with the 2017 ruling — enforced in 2018 — allowing Saudi women to drive, Saudi women are flourishing and becoming more active in the workforce.

Balqis Fahad, a widow with three children, told Arab News that she wept on the day the royal decree was announced. Fahad’s husband died when she was pregnant with her third child, and her children’s futures were placed in her brother-in-law’s care.
“They were tough times,” she recalls.

“He wasn’t unkind, but inevitably their lives were in his hands and we had to live according to his standards, not mine.

My children and I were at (his) mercy. My children’s lives were in his hands. I wasn’t able to call the shots, the executive decision lay with him.” Those decisions ranged from choosing the schools her children attended, to whether or not they could travel.

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For Dr. Maysa Amer, a physician, the decree did not alter much in her own life, but she recognizes the impact it had on other women. “It didn’t affect me personally, because my father gave me the green light in almost everything,” she told Arab News.

“But I’m happy for those women who didn’t have my freedoms to finally get a chance to enjoy them.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Aseel Blkhyour, an assistant consultant at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, shared the sentiments of most Saudi women.

“This International Women’s Day, Saudi women celebrate the new freedoms we have been granted. Freedoms which allow us to live. Freedoms we never thought possible. Thank you, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

The current generation of young Saudi women are living in a golden age — one where they can look forward to a future in which hard work and ability will take them far, and their gender will not be an obstacle.

 


Rainy Abha alive with color as jacaranda trees bloom

Updated 56 min 21 sec ago
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Rainy Abha alive with color as jacaranda trees bloom

  • Scores of picnickers and tourists have been drawn to areas like Art Street where the blossoms provide a picturesque backdrop
  • Asir is home to more than 15,000 jacaranda trees, some of which can grow to a height of 18 meters (60 feet)

RIYADH: After the recent rains in Asir, the city of Abha is awash with color as the jacaranda trees that line its streets spring into life.

Scores of picnickers and tourists have been drawn to areas like Art Street where the blossoms provide a picturesque backdrop to the hustle and bustle of the city, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Asir region is home to more than 15,000 jacaranda trees, some of which can grow to a height of 18 meters (60 feet).

The jacaranda genus, which comprises about 45 species of trees and shrubs, is known for its ability to thrive in temperate regions. Within the Kingdom, the trees are mostly cultivated in moderate regions to the south.


Saudi FM meets with Standing Committee of International Humanitarian Law delegation

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives a delegation from the Standing Committee of International Humanitarian Law
Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi FM meets with Standing Committee of International Humanitarian Law delegation

  • Strengthening of international unification with regard to supporting efforts made to ensure human security and safety in all parts of the world was discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the chairman of the Standing Committee of International Humanitarian Law Dr. Jalal Al-Owaisi in Riyadh on Monday.

During the reception, Prince Faisal, Al-Owaisi, and his accompanying delegation discussed aspects of cooperation in the fields of international humanitarian law.

The strengthening of international unification with regard to supporting efforts made to ensure human security and safety in all parts of the world was also discussed during the meeting.

Later, a memorandum of understanding to enhance joint cooperation in the field of international humanitarian law was signed by the Foreign Ministry and the committee. 

The MoU aims to support the integration of joint efforts and facilitate the exchange of experiences and transfer of knowledge in the field of international humanitarian law.

The chairman of the Standing Committee of International Humanitarian Law Dr. Jalal Al-Owaisi and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji sign a MoU in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

 


Madinah governor inspects pilgrim services ahead of Hajj

Updated 13 May 2024
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Madinah governor inspects pilgrim services ahead of Hajj

RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan on Monday visited the Welcome and Reception Center for Pilgrims on the Hijrah route to inspect the services offered to pilgrims and the preparations made to receive those who are coming to perform the Hajj rituals this year.

He also reviewed the center’s workflow, ensuring it guarantees the comfort of pilgrims and the expeditious completion of procedures related to the services provided to them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Salman, who is also chairman of the Hajj and Visit Committee in the region, inspected the workflow mechanism and services provided to pilgrims arriving from King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port, as well as those visiting Madinah after completing the rituals.

He also examined the center’s operational indicators, which automatically monitor arrivals and groupings, along with the plan to enhance the service system through screens monitoring bus arrivals and the completion of procedures within a period not exceeding 120 seconds, by guiding pilgrims and ensuring their residences are ready to receive them.

During the tour, Prince Salman received an explanation of the center’s components, including a support center for transportation services, health clinics and ambulance transportation services, as well as the security and safety system and integrated operational services in welcome lounges, bus routes, the charity warehouse headquarters, transportation companies, and other administrative buildings within the center’s scope.


Al-Yanfa village restoration unlocks Asir’s architectural treasures

Updated 13 May 2024
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Al-Yanfa village restoration unlocks Asir’s architectural treasures

RIYADH: Municipal authorities in the Asir region have announced the completion of renovation and development works in the historic Al-Yanfa heritage village in the Tamniah district.

The initiative aims to elevate the village into a premier destination, attracting visitors and tourists from across the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Al-Yanfa, situated in the scenic Al-Shaaf district of Asir, reflects the region’s cultural heritage. Just 45 km from Abha, the village features historical landmarks such as ancient buildings, mosques and fortified structures amid Asir’s picturesque landscapes. It is also known for its moderate climate and lush green surroundings.

Bandar Al-Nafiei, deputy secretary for projects at the Asir Municipality, highlighted the restoration efforts. He said that the project began with rehabilitating pathways and courtyards, with stone paving throughout the village.

To enhance the village’s charm, illumination fixtures were placed along pathways and courtyards, Al-Nafiei said.

Extensive landscaping was also undertaken, covering every part of the village, from entrances to pathways and courtyards. Additionally, a rainwater drainage project was implemented, incorporating natural wood elements, the SPA reported.

Al-Nafiei said that the village project, spanning more than 60,000 sq m, was implemented using advanced engineering methods. This approach aimed to provide visitors with easy access to explore the village and its historical heritage.


Saudi dialogue center in Lisbon hosts global peace forum

Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi dialogue center in Lisbon hosts global peace forum

RIYADH: The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue is hosting a global dialogue forum in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 14 to May 16, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Themed “Transformative Dialogue: Building Alliances for Peace in a Changing World,” this event marks a significant milestone in the center’s decade-long commitment to fostering global change and peace.

Bringing together influential leaders from decision-making institutions, the forum offers an opportunity to forge partnerships addressing today’s complex challenges, the SPA reported.

It serves as a platform for global political figures, intellectual leaders and clerics to tackle issues of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development amid rapid transformations.

Attendees include former French president, Francois Hollande; Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the archbishop of Constantinople; Matteo Renzi, former Italian prime minister; and former president of Austria, Heinz Fischer.

Exploring dialogue’s transformative potential, the forum aims to advance human rights, social cohesion, reconciliation and environmental cooperation in line with the center’s mission, the SPA said.

By fostering cooperation among nations, international institutions and civil society, the forum seeks to build understanding between cultures and religions.

With participation from prominent figures across various fields, this forum holds significant potential to shape policies and priorities for peaceful coexistence and societal advancement, the SPA reported.