Saudi Arabian women have made notable strides in politics, business, education, and the arts, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's rich history and culture.
Following are Al Arabiya English’s list of seven Saudi women who have broken down barriers and shattered stereotypes to pave the way for others to follow in their footsteps to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.
From ambassadors and scientists to filmmakers and athletes, these women have proven that gender need not be a hindrance to success and that Saudi Arabia’s women are a force to be reckoned with:
1. Princess Reema bint Bandar
Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America, Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud speaks during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum. (File photo: Reuters)
Princess Reema bint Bandar is Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador. She took her role in 2019 when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in his role as the King’s deputy, issued a royal decree appointing her as the Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.
She is also the first female to serve as the head of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports, where she worked to increase female participation in sports.
A self-described “world nomad,” Moharrak has also climbed the world’s other six summits.
3. Dr. Hayat Sindi
Dr. Hayat Sindi. (Screengrab: Twitter)
Dr. Hayat Sindi is a biotechnologist and medical scientists who has made significant contributions to the field of biotechnology.
She has worked to develop affordable and diagnostic tools for diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. She is also the Chief Advisor to the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and was voted one of the BBC’s top 100 Women 2018.
4. Mariam bin Laden
Saudi endurance swimmer and dentist Mariam bin Laden swam from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, becoming the first Arab and Saudi women to achieve such a feat. (Screengrab: Instagram)
Saudi endurance swimmer and dentist Mariam bin Laden became the first Arab and Saudi woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. Despite the threat of sharks, she swam across the Red Sea all the way to the COP27 site in Egypt to raise awareness on the conservation of coral reefs, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Bin Laden is also an advocate for Syrian refugees and previously set out to break swimming records to raise awareness of Syrian refugee children and their suffering.
In 2015, she became the first Arab woman to complete the 4.5-kilometer Hellespont Swim in Turkey, from Europe to Asia.
5. Mishaal Ashemimry
Mishaal Ashemimry. (Instagram)
Mishaal Ashemimry, an aerospace engineer, is the first Saudi woman to join NASA. While studying for her master’s degree, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center also funded her research on Nuclear Thermal Rockets which delved into the design aspects of a nuclear missile with the goal of getting humans to Mars.
In September 2022, Ashemimry was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), making her the first female Saudi national in such a leadership position.
6. Dr. Maha al-Mozaini
Maha al-Mozaini. (Screengrab: Twitter)
Dr. Maha al-Mozaini is the founder of the first HIV/AIDS laboratory in Saudi Arabia and has worked on various projects linked to HIV and COVID-19, including a low-cost, fast-testing system.
Saudi Arabian director Haifaa al-Mansour (R) and actress Waad Mohammed pose with a bicycle on the red carpet during the premiere screening of Wadjda during the 69th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2012. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour defied stereotypes when she became the Kingdom’s first female director after the release of her feature film “Wadjda.”
“Wadjda” was the first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first production from the Kingdom to be submitted for the Academy Awards consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Al-Mansour went on to direct the movie-adaptation of the best-selling novel “Nappily Ever After.”
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.
He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.
The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.
At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books
As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”
Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.
Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.
Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.
Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.
Automation
The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.
Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.
US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79
US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.
In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.
He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.
President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.