For the first time, Saudi women stand guard in Mecca during haj

The first group of Saudi women soldiers are helping secure the haj annual pilgrimage at islam’s holiest sites. Since April, dozens of female soldiers have become part of the security services that monitor pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, the birth places of Islam.

Dressed in a military khaki uniform, with a hip-length jacket, loose trousers and a black beret over a veil covering the hair, the guards spend their shifts roaming in the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed through social and economic reforms as part of plans to modernise the conservative Muslim kingdom and attract foreign investment under a diversification drive. Many Twitter users shared images from the sites and applauded such a step. Over time, Saudi Arabia has lifted several restrictions on women and taken steps towards reformation such as lifting the driving ban on women, allowing women to travel, granting them control over family matters. Now deploying women as security services is a big step towards empowering women in Saudi Arabia. Hajj, which is considered as one of the five pillars of Islam will end with Eid al-Adha or Bakrid celebrations. The Muslims are required to at least perform this ritual at least once in their lives. This year Eid-al-Adha started on 20 July, 2021, and concluded on 21 July, 2021.