Cynthia Farouq Kurdi, Saudi businesswoman

Cynthia Farouq Kurdi with her family. (AN photo by Ziyad Alarfaj)
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Updated 14 February 2020
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Cynthia Farouq Kurdi, Saudi businesswoman

  • It is my wish that all women in Saudi Arabia should get a chance to prove themselves and utilize their full potential

I was born and brought up in Madinah, which played a big role in making me who I am. My dad played an enormous role in building my personality and that of my six siblings. He was an advocate of equal rights for men and women. He gave every one of us importance when making decisions about the house.

He made sure that we got the right education, and even as young kids we had a clear perspective, goals and ambitions in our lives. He would consult me while making business decisions and then made sure I took responsibility for the decisions I made.

My mother, on the other hand, focused on our childhood and made sure that we grew up in a healthy environment surrounded by love and comfort. Our parents made sure that we grew up with strong personalities.

Now, I am married with three boys; Abdulaziz, Ahmad and Omar, a gift from God who is challenged with Down’s syndrome, and a girl Maryam.

I am a businesswoman and I am currently working on different projects, including Panda Nursery and Amore Cafe. I also have 14 years’ experience at Alkhobar Day Care Center, a center that I established for kids with Down’s syndrome.

All the projects I have worked on are connected to events in my own life. The essence of my work is rooted in the city of Madinah. Since it is the city of our beloved Prophet, we are brought up with compassion and the drive to help others. We must play a role in the lives of others in helping them whether they are poor, sick or elderly. Ever since I was a little girl, I have participated in activities to help the community. My husband is the same.

I was married at the time I started majoring in child education. I preferred to major in education for special needs instead of regular children’s education. Even before I had my own kids, I did my graduate research on children with Down’s syndrome.

I worked with these children for a whole year, then I had to stop studying because of family obligations. When I had my third son, he was born with Down’s syndrome, which changed the direction in which my life was heading and I began to think of ways I could train and help my son.

Afterwards, I decided to open a center for children with Down’s syndrome where I could offer them special services and programs specifically designed for such children. That led to a process of research, and to further my experience I completed my master’s in special education.

I created a support group for mothers who had children with special needs, and they helped and supported me in my efforts. As a group, along with the officials, we started helping families facing difficulties and updated the laws that affected their lives. There were numerous gaps in the law, so I made efforts to fix this issue.

I held seminars with international speakers and workshops that helped me collect information not only from the Middle East, but also from the Western world in terms of the laws and rights of people with special needs.

Some of my projects have also included mixing different categories of children together which prevents special children from suffering from emotional distress and loneliness. My next goal is to help those above the age of 21 find employment.

In my other projects at the nursery for kids, I observed that the two biggest issues women were facing if they wanted to work were being able to drive, which is now solved, and the lack of professional places for their children to stay.

We wanted to create a system that is beneficial for the children, where they are handled by professionals and in their early stages will have a curriculum and programs that will help to shape their lives.

My goal is to see that these nurseries are exemplary and academically perfect, so the time children spend there is beneficial. It is my wish that all women in Saudi Arabia should get a chance to prove themselves and utilize their full potential, and I want to spread joy and happiness and bring about a beneficial change in balance between family and work. My motto is: “Nothing is impossible.”  


More than 5,000 volunteers support pilgrim healthcare

Updated 53 min 22 sec ago
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More than 5,000 volunteers support pilgrim healthcare

  • The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program

MAKKAH: More than 5,000 healthcare volunteers are participating in this year’s Hajj season, the Ministry of Health said, as part of efforts to enhance the quality of services for pilgrims.

The initiative aligns with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program, aiming to increase volunteer participation and strengthen their role in serving pilgrims.

Volunteers support healthcare services in three main areas: preventive, curative, and support, the ministry said.

Their efforts cover various locations within the holy sites, including Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, as well as hospitals and healthcare centers.

According to a report, more than 147,000 medical services have been provided to pilgrims so far.

Healthcare data shows that 80,603 pilgrims benefited from primary care centers, while emergency departments received 35,176 cases.

Outpatient clinics treated 7,541 patients, and 5,619 cases were admitted to hospitals, including 2,626 in intensive care.

Additionally, 248 cardiac catheterizations and 18 open-heart surgeries were performed.


Arab Parliament congratulates Saudi leadership on managing Hajj season

Updated 08 June 2025
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Arab Parliament congratulates Saudi leadership on managing Hajj season

  • Mohammed Al-Yamahi, the speaker of the Arab Parliament, congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
  • He said that Saudi Arabia’s use of the latest technologies and innovative services has contributed to safeguarding pilgrims during Hajj

LONDON: The Arab Parliament congratulated the Saudi leadership and the Kingdom for organizing and managing the Hajj season, which nearly 1.4 million Muslim pilgrims undertook from Wednesday.

Mohammed Al-Yamahi, the speaker of the Arab Parliament, congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on their great success in managing the pilgrimage this year, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia has employed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to manage the Hajj pilgrimage and provide the 1.4 million pilgrims with water, food, accommodation, as well as transportation and health services in various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Yamahi added that the use of the latest technologies and innovative services has contributed to safeguarding pilgrims and creating an environment for performing rituals in a safe and comfortable manner.

He mentioned that the integration of advanced technologies in the Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia has greatly enhanced comfort, security, and safety for pilgrims and the approach serves as a model for effectively managing one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, the KUNA added.


Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’

Updated 08 June 2025
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Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’

MAKKAH: For more than 30 years, Mohammed Sabgha has witnessed the evolution of one of Islam’s most sacred professions — serving as a “Mutawwif,” or official Hajj guide, a hereditary calling that has shaped Makkah families for centuries.

The Tawafa profession is one of the oldest Hajj-related occupations, practiced exclusively by Makkah residents devoted to welcoming, hosting and guiding pilgrims through their sacred journey.

These guides coordinate every aspect of the pilgrimage — from airport reception and accommodation, to healthcare and ritual guidance — according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Sabgha described it as a sacred inheritance: “This work passes from fathers to sons through generations. Serving Allah’s guests is a privilege, not a duty.”

Throughout his career, Sabgha has witnessed remarkable changes to Hajj, especially the rapid improvements of recent years.

“The pilgrim service system is enhanced every year — from crowd management and group coordination to medical care, ritual facilitation and overall experience,” he said.

The transformation reflects Saudi Arabia’s systematic approach to service excellence. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah works with government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations in year-round planning cycles that begin immediately after each Hajj concludes.

“Every service is measured and evaluated. We identify areas for improvement and implement changes — all aimed at better serving pilgrims,” Sabgha said.

“The Kingdom invests enormous resources and spares no expense in fulfilling this sacred mission.”

He highlighted the Nusuk digital platform as particularly revolutionary, calling it “the foundation stone for delivering every service pilgrims need, regardless of type.”

Among countless pilgrim encounters, one story deeply moved Sabgha. “A few years ago, I served a man who had converted to Islam just months before his Hajj. He said his conversion was inspired by a specific Qur’anic verse.”

The pilgrim had been profoundly affected by verse 70 of Surat Al-Isra: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created.”

Sabgha said: “He reflected deeply on the verse’s meaning — that Allah, the One God, honored humanity with intellect to distinguish good from evil and benefit from harm, in both worldly and spiritual matters.”


Saudi youth volunteers shine in Hajj

Updated 08 June 2025
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Saudi youth volunteers shine in Hajj

MAKKAH: Saudi youth from across the Kingdom have made significant contributions to serving pilgrims through volunteer work during this year’s Hajj season.

Their initiatives included providing medical care in collaboration with service providers, managing crowds at the Grand Mosque and holy sites, and directing pilgrims to ensure smooth ritual performance.

Volunteers exemplify generosity and support various sectors serving pilgrims, while also developing their skills and capabilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. is participating with 1,068 male and female volunteer trainees this year in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.

Abdullah Al-Duhailan, the corporation’s director general of activities, said the number of volunteers has increased by over 60 percent in four years, from 655 in 2022 to 1,068 this year.

Volunteers join public service camps organized by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, in cooperation with government and civil society organizations.

Their roles include guiding lost pilgrims, assisting patients at clinics and hospitals, transporting those in need with hospital vehicles, and supporting tasks alongside the Ministry of Commerce and Makkah municipality.

Volunteers also identify lost pilgrims’ nationalities and service office numbers by scanning barcodes on Nusuk cards and guide them to accommodations via the shortest routes under field scout leaders’ supervision.

Scout teams are also stationed at more than 180 mobile guidance points across Mina, providing rapid support and enhancing service quality to facilitate pilgrims’ smooth Hajj rituals.


Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister

Updated 08 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister

MINA: Saudi Arabia has achieved unprecedented levels of integration, efficiency and service excellence during this year’s Hajj, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Tawfiq Al-Rabiah was speaking at the annual reception for dignitaries and senior Islamic figures who performed Hajj this year, which was held on Saturday in Mina and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This year saw the launch of the Hajj Transport Center, which served as the central hub for transportation across Makkah and the holy sites and was one of this year’s notable achievements, said Al-Rabiah.

In terms of infrastructure, he added, the electric power capacity in the holy sites increased by 75 percent, with total investments exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million).

Logistically, the minister said: “More than 7,000 flights from 238 destinations around the world were received. In addition, 4,700 Haramain High-Speed Railway trips and 2,500 shuttle bus journeys were operated, supported by the deployment of over 20,000 buses.”

He added: “In the health sector, hospital bed capacity was expanded by over 60 percent. A new emergency hospital was inaugurated, and 71 rapid response units were deployed, tripling the emergency response capacity compared to previous years.”

Al-Rabiah also emphasized the success of the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, which played a vital role in maintaining order, protecting pilgrims and ensuring the safe management of crowds.

He said the campaign was launched to reinforce discipline, protect legitimate pilgrims and facilitate crowd management in a safe environment, enhancing smooth flow and improving organizational efficiency.

On the volunteer front, the Ministry of Health announced the participation of more than 5,000 health volunteers during this year’s Hajj season, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of medical services provided to pilgrims.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Guests of God Service Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to increase the number of volunteers and enhance their contribution to serving pilgrims.

The ministry said: “The volunteers supported healthcare services across three main areas, preventive, therapeutic and support services, in various locations throughout the holy sites … as well as through active participation in hospitals and health centers.”

Authorities also praised the role of advanced technology and digital platforms that streamlined pilgrims’ movements and access to services, while thousands of security personnel, health workers, and volunteers were deployed to offer support.