In a historic transfer, the Saudi Arabia authorities has recruited 12 feminine troopers to change into part of the safety companies that monitor pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, the birthplace of Islam.
That is the primary time in Arab historical past that feminine troopers are standing guard to keep up legislation and order in Mecca. The ladies troopers on the Grand Mosque had been seen carrying a army khaki uniform, teamed with a hip-length jacket, unfastened trousers, and a black beret over a veil protecting their hair.
Daybreak
Haj in COVID occasions
The holy websites in Mecca and Medina usually host greater than two million individuals throughout haj. Nevertheless, this 12 months there’s a important lower within the variety of pilgrims as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.ย
This got here as Saudi Arabia restricted the haj to its personal residents and residents for the second 12 months in a row, barring tens of millions of different pilgrims from overseas in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Reuters
In line with Al Jazeera, round 10,000 vaccinated Muslims had been allowed to take part within the pilgrims on Sunday. The individuals at Mecca maintained social distancing and adopted COVID-19 pointers.
This 12 months, the federal government has allowed solely 60,000 vaccinated residents or residents of Saudi Arabia to carry out the hajj and final 12 months, only one,000 pilgrims had been allowed from throughout the kingdom to participate.ย
Crown Prince’s Imaginative and prescient 2030
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed by means of social and financial reforms as a part of plans to modernise the conservative Muslim kingdom and appeal to overseas funding underneath a diversification drive.
Reuters
Below his reform plan, often known as Imaginative and prescient 2030, the crown prince lifted a driving ban on ladies, allowed grownup ladies to journey with out permission from guardians and granted them extra management over household issues.ย The federal government has additionally introduced ease to overseas investments within the nation as effectively.
However the reform plan has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, together with on ladies’s rights activists.
Social media applauds transfer
Netizens lauded this new improvement, check out some reactions.
For the primary time ever, Saudi ladies stand guard in Mecca throughout #Hajj ๐ธ๐ฆ๐https://t.co/mqjSAIA62r pic.twitter.com/BBzBLySux2
โ ุญุณู ุณุฌูุงูู ๐ฆ๐ช Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) July 21, 2021
It is a clear signal circumstances are slowly starting to thaw.
Saudi ladies are additionally allowed to drive automobiles in one other first time ever occasion.โ John Huxtable (@JohnHuxtable19) July 22, 2021
Footage of Saudi Arabiaโs feminine #Hajj and Umrah safety guards on responsibility contained in the Grand Mosque of #Mecca are going viral. A lot of feminine guards have been deployed throughout ongoing Hajj season near Kaba. That is first time feminine guards are on responsibility at sanctum sanctorum. pic.twitter.com/UPf8qoDxQR
โ India Muslim Historical past (@syedurahman) July 21, 2021
They’re bettering actually higher than i anticipated,that requires an appreciation ๐๐๐
โ Skeptical Vagabond ๐ญ (@nitin676) July 21, 2021
Ladies in service
“I’m following the steps of my late father to finish his journey, standing right here on the Grand mosque in Mecca, the holiest place. To serve the worshippers is a really noble and honourable activity,” Mona, who declined to provide her household identify, informed Reuters.
reuters
ย Samar, one other soldier watching pilgrims close to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped construction that Muslims imagine was constructed by Abraham, mentioned she was inspired by her household to affix the army, after psychology research.
“This can be a enormous accomplishment for us and it’s the greatest delight to be within the service of faith, the nation and the friends of God, probably the most merciful,” she mentioned.