For the first time, Saudi female officers allowed to guard Islam's holiest sites

Women security officers dressed in military khaki uniforms, sporting a hip-length jacket, loose trousers and a black beret over a veil covering their hair and were seen monitoring the Grand Mosque.

Team Newsable

Mecca Saudi Arabia, First Published Jul 22, 2021, 10:43 AM IST | Last Updated Jul 22, 2021, 10:46 AM IST

For the first time and in a significant move towards women empowerment, dozens of female soldiers have become a part of the security services that monitor pilgrims in Mecca and Medina.
Women security officers dressed in military khaki uniforms, sporting a hip-length jacket, loose trousers and a black beret over a veil covering their hair and were seen monitoring the Grand Mosque.
People across the globe lauded and hailed the feat.

"First time in the history of Makkah a female Saudi Guard performing duty during #Hajj #WomenEmpowerment," a Twitter user wrote.

Keeping COVID-19 protocols in mind, thousands of vaccinated Muslim pilgrims gathered at Mecca to perform Hajj, maintained social distancing and wore masks. This year, 60,000 vaccinated citizens of Saudi Arabia have been allowed to perform the Hajj due to coronavirus restrictions. Saudi Arabia has restricted the Hajj to its citizens and residents for the second year in a row, barring millions of other pilgrims from abroad in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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