Saudi female police officer supervises Ramadan pilgrims in Mecca

Photos of a Saudi female police officer supervising Umrah pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca were shared by the Saudi Press Agency on Monday, showing the advances women in the Kingdom made in many fields under the Vision 2030 program.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program is introducing reforms that advance Saudi Arabian women in various fields.

Saudi author and commentator Ali Shihabi shared the photo of the police officer, saying it was an “amazing change for Saudi society.”

“The security element is our main and primary mission, to help those who visit the Masjid al-Haram. Secondly, we also have the organizational element, and that means managing the crowds in all the halls of the Grand Mosque in all its levels and the Ka’aba area,” one of the female police officers told Al Arabiya.

“We pay attention to [COVID-19] precautions and preventive measures, and we offer a helping hand to all women visiting the Masjid al-Haram,” she added.

Another officer said she is a soldier who had enrolled in a military course in the city of Riyadh, where she learned many skills. “Today, I serve the guests of God,” she said.

In February, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense announced that men and women in the Kingdom could apply for positions in the military through their unified admission portal.

Women are now able to sign up to join the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defense, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services.

In 2020, the first military wing for women in the country’s Armed Forces was launched.

“We deal with all security cases and apply [COVID-19] health precautions, such as social distancing and adhering to wearing masks and monitoring violations if necessary,” a female police officer supervising Ramadan pilgrims in Mecca said.

The positions of lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff sergeants in several branches such as the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Royal Saudi Air Defense

Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services are now open to women.

Read more:

Saudi Armed Forces launch first women’s wing in major new advance

First Saudi female drivers race in rally

Saudi Arabia opens military recruitment to women in latest move for inclusivity