For the first time in history, dozens of female soldiers from Saudi Arabia's security forces stood guard this year in Mecca, overseeing the city's holy cites during the annual haj pilgrimage.
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One soldier, Mona, was inspired to join the Saudi security forces by her late father's military career. Dressed in a uniform, with a hip-length jacket, loose trousers and a black beret over a veil covering her hair, Mona spends her shifts roaming the city's Grand Mosque.
Video: Reuters
"I am following in the footsteps of my late father, standing here at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest place," she said. "To serve the worshippers is a very noble and honorable task."
Another female soldier, Samar, stands guard at Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure that Muslims believe was built by the patriarch Abraham. Family members encouraged Samar to join the military, which she did after completing her studies in psychology.
"This is a huge accomplishment for us, and it is the biggest pride to serve my religion, country and God," she said.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been advancing social and economic reforms as part of his plan to modernize the conservative Muslim kingdom and attract foreign investments.
Under the plan, known as Vision 2030, the crown prince lifted a driving ban on women, allowed them to travel without permission from a guardian and granted them more control over family matters.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government placed a series of restrictions on the haj pilgrimage for the second year in a row, barring millions of local and foreign pilgrims from visiting the holy site.
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