Meet first Saudi woman photographer in Grand Mosque

Cairo: The first woman Saudi photographer in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest in Mecca, has every reason to feel jubilant. She has fulfilled a long-cherished dream.

“Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of taking photos inside the Grand Mosque,” Nada Al Ghamdi said.

“Despite the many challenges, including restrictions on photography inside the Grand Mosque, I never lost hope. By the grace of Allah, the General Authority for the Two Holy Mosques gave me complete confidence to work in this field, “she told Saudi TV Al Ekhbariya.

Nada became the first woman photographer to obtain a licence to take photos in the Grand Mosque, a major destination for Muslims from all over the world.

In addition, she has been authorised by the agency in charge of the sprawling site to take aerial photography in Mecca in cooperation with the Security Aviation Service.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia flock to the Grand Mosque during the fasting month of Ramadan for worshipping and undertaking the rites of Umrah or lesser pilgrimage.

The influx further swells during the final days of the lunar month.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has ramped up efforts to empower women in different walks of life and appoint them in leading posts as part of massive changes in the kingdom.

Women are also encouraged to start their own business and enterprises.

There are six women ambassadors representing Saudi Arabia in other countries.

In 2018, the kingdom allowed women to drive for the first time in its history, ending a decades-old ban on female driving.

In another move enhancing women’s empowerment, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel without a male guard’s approval and to apply for a passport, easing long-time controls on them.