Skip to main content

In a first, women throng Saudi stadium for national day

In a first, women throng Saudi stadium for national day


RIYADH: Hundreds of women thronged a sports stadium for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia´s national day Saturday, celebrated across the conservative kingdom with a raucous display of concerts, folk dance and fireworks.
The presence of women at the King Fahd stadium marks a departure from previous celebrations in the Gulf kingdom where they are effectively barred from sports arenas by strict rules on public segregation of the sexes.
Women were allowed to enter the stadium, a previously male-only venue used mostly for football matches, with their families and seated separately from single men to watch a musical show and a play on Saudi history.
As a swell of enthusiastic women cheering swept through the stadium, with a few wearing colourful wigs on top of their veils, some Saudi men on social media lauded their participation as a "historic" moment.
Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has some of the world´s tightest restrictions on women and is the only country where they are not allowed to drive, despite ambitious government reforms aimed at boosting female employment.
Under the country´s guardianship system, a male family member -- normally the father, husband or brother -- must grant permission for a woman´s study, travel and other activities.
But the kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its "Vision 2030" plan for economic and social reforms conceived by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The national day celebration coincides with a crucial time for Saudi Arabia, which is in a battle for regional influence with arch-rival Iran, bogged down in a controversial military intervention in neighbouring Yemen and at loggerheads with fellow US Gulf ally Qatar.
Iconic buildings in Riyadh were bathed in green light and stereos blared patriotic songs as revellers raced through the streets in cars bedecked with the national flag.
With drumming and poetry, traditional sword dancers celebrating the warrior tradition of Saudi Arabia strode through Tahlia Street, an upscale shopping strip in the heart of Riyadh.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unique home that sits on US-Canada border

Unique home that sits on US-Canada border TORONTO: Selling a home in two countries is proving to be a challenge for the owners as it requires security clearance from both Canada and the United States. A 1782 fixer-upper with thick granite walls, 1950s decor, and armed 24-hour security provided by both two big countries are one of the major attractions for the buyers. The almost 7,000-square-foot house, cut into five currently vacant apartments, is on a lot of less than a quarter-acre that, along with the building itself, straddles the border between Beebe Plain, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec. The structure that has an estimated rebuild cost of about $600,000, is on the market for $109,000. It's structurally sound but needs lots of work. An inside view shows tape on the floor upstairs to indicate which side belongs to Canada and the United States. The house was originally built by a merchant in order to facilitate sales to farmers in both Vermont and Quebec. It ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Here is why PM Abbasi won’t go skydiving

Here is why PM Abbasi won’t go  skydiving   NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says he was fond of skydiving but now he is too old to undertake the adventure.  Prime Minister who is currently in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly gave his first international media interview to the CNN. The interview was primarily based on Pakistan and US strained relations; however it ended on a rather amusing note when PM was asked about his interest in skydiving. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told that he is a pilot and stayed in the profession for over 40 years. PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi sitting in the rear cockpit of F-16 aircraft in full flying gear The prime minister talked about his love for adventures and skydiving in particular. Asked whether he would want to do it in future holidays or not, the premier answered that he has become old for this adventure. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who also owns a private airline ‘Air Blue’, become the prime...
Post a Comment
Read more

Baloch nationalist leader Ghazeen Marri ends self exile, arrested in Quetta

Baloch nationalist leader Ghazeen Marri ends self exile, arrested in Quetta QUETTA: Baloch nationalist leader Nawabzada Ghazeen Marri was arrested from Quetta Airport as he arrived in  Pakistan ending his 17  self-exile. Ghazeen Marri, son of veteran Baloch nationalist leader Kharbakhsh Marri, returned home from the United Arab Emirates through private airline and was taken into custody at the airport upon his arrival. Balochistan Home Minister  Sarfaraz Bugti dispelled the notion that the return of Nawabzada Ghadeen Marri was part of any deal, saying the Baloch leader would be presented before a court to get remand.  According to police officials, Marri was arrested in the murder case of Justice Nawaz Marri who was killed on January 7, 2000. Strict security arrangements were made in the provincial capital ahead of his arrival. Arbab Tahir, lawyer for Ghazeen Marri, termed the arrest as illegal since  his client was granted protective bai...
Post a Comment
Read more