JEDDAH: In the face of a severe lack of opportunities, a number of university students have taken up photography in order to fight unemployment and to help them with temporary sources of income. At the same time, many of them are finding that they have learned about the profession and have started their own private projects that generate income for them in certain seasons such as during vacations.
Shatha Qaba, who specializes in taking photographs at weddings in Jazan, said her average monthly income sometimes reaches SR9,000. It increases when she takes on more celebrations and agrees to perform services desired by her clients.
Nada Matae’n also said that she gets SR500 per celebration and her monthly income may be as much as SR10,000 during vacations.
The two photographers told Al-Watan newspaper that they had both loved photography since they were children, and they had developed their skills in photography and montage in addition to increasing their knowledge of cameras and other related equipment.
Another photographer, Jihan, decided to transform her photography hobby into a job. She began taking photographs at weddings and private parties and her minimum income may reach SR4,000 per month.
One photographer from Khamis Mushayt, Logian Al-Shahrani, said that even though she is still studying at university, she continues to practice her hobby and make financial profits. She said that she makes up to SR10,000 a month, with prices ranging from SR200 to SR2,000 for a photographic session. She sets up her own equipment and she is always trying to improve her skills.
Women face many difficulties in the field and their work is limited to women’s wedding parties and celebrations. Shouq Al-Wodman said that women can only take photographs at weddings which means that they have to coordinate their services very early on. She also said that business was slow outside holiday seasons with prices starting from SR3,000 and increasing according to the requirements of the client.
Female students take up photography to supplement income
Female students take up photography to supplement income
Heroic effort by security personnel at the Grand Mosque saves man’s life
- Saudi interior minister thanks and praises security guard for his actions
- Suicide attempt at the Grand Mosque in Makkah foiled after guard intervenes to prevent fatal fall
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, on Friday reached out to the security guard injured at the Grand Mosque in Makkah while saving a man trying to commit suicide, and praised his bravery.
The heroic effort by the security guard on duty at the Masjid Al Haram saved the life of a man who attempted suicide by jumping from the top floor of the Grand Mosque.
A swift intervention by the security guard averted the fatal fall, the Saudi authorities said on Thursday.
In a post on X, the official account of the Emarah, Makkah Region, said: “The special force for the security of the Grand Mosque has promptly initiated proceedings in a case where a person jumped from an upper level of the Grand Mosque, and a security man was injured while attempting to prevent him from hitting the ground at the time of his fall.”
The interior minister personally contacted soldier Rayan bin Saeed bin Yahya Al-Ahmad to inquire about his recovery after he suffered injuries in the line of duty at the Grand Mosque.
Al-Ahmad sustained multiple injuries while trying to break the man’s fall and prevent him hitting the ground. Medical teams quickly reached the site and after preliminary check-ups rushed both men to hospital for treatment.
The minister commended Al-Ahmad’s bravery, commitment, and heightened awareness during the incident, qualities that demonstrate his dedication to his security mission.
The interior minister told the officer that his response exemplifies the high principles security forces uphold while serving the religion and the country.
The minister characterized the intervention as “far more than routine duty” — describing it as a selfless humanitarian act embodying supreme sacrifice and reflecting the exceptional preparedness and professional capability required to manage critical situations at Islam’s holiest site.
The minister highlighted the unwavering support and care security personnel receive from the Saudi leadership in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in safeguarding the Grand Mosque and the pilgrims.
This backing, he noted, provides essential encouragement for maintaining distinguished performance in security operations.
Prince Abdulaziz concluded the call by praying for the officer’s swift recovery and safe return to duty.
As social media filled with the heroic story, Saeed Al-Qahtani, a social media user, praised the life-saving attempt saying: “Is it a military vigilance or a human spirit inhabiting that uniform? Between one heartbeat and the next, and in the heart of reassurance, the security man rescues a desperate soul; transforming the disaster into a heroic rescue story and a smart reading of the features of breakdown before it’s too late. You are not a guardian of a place, you are a guardian of lives.”
