How Sarah Al-Tamimi embodies women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia

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Updated 08 March 2022
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How Sarah Al-Tamimi embodies women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia

  • Sarah Al-Tamimi takes Arab News on a tour of the Saudi Human Rights Commission in Riyadh
  • Al-Tamimi: Every single woman is integral and is important and plays a big role in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Sarah Al-Tamimi, the Human Rights Commission’s deputy for international cooperation and vice chair of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, is a shining example of women’s empowerment and leadership in modern Saudi Arabia.

Wearing an intricate pink abaya and a welcoming smile, Al-Tamimi recently hosted Arab News at the Human Rights Commission in Riyadh for an all-access tour and an opportunity to discuss her illustrious career ahead of International Women’s Day. 

Al-Tamimi has impressive credentials, holding a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University, Massachusetts, an MBA from MIT, and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. 

She previously worked at the Saudi Investment Authority, the Saudi Mission in Germany, and the Ministry of Media. 

When Al-Tamimi began working for the Human Rights Commission in 2019, she was the only woman in her department. This is now no longer the case, she says proudly.

“For International Women’s Day, I would like to really celebrate and recognize every single woman — no matter which sector she works in, no matter what she does,” Al-Tamimi told Arab News.

“Because every contribution is a contribution and any woman who goes out there and contributes for herself economically — this has a tremendous impact, not only on her, but also her children, her family and the society. Every single woman is integral and is important, and plays a big role in Saudi Arabia.” 

Since the Kingdom launched its Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda, women’s participation in public life and all sectors of the economy has grown exponentially — helped along by the initiatives of the Human Rights Commission. 

“The share of Saudi women in the labor force has increased 64 percent in just two years, to reach 33 percent — which is huge,” said Al-Tamimi.

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“We have a dedicated committee that is focused on women’s rights and our board is composed of 50 percent women, and the Human Rights Commission consistently works hand in hand with partner organizations and government entities on various topics related to women to build on previous successes.”

Al-Tamimi’s main professional focus, however, is combatting human trafficking in the Gulf region, where governments have been waging campaigns against the smuggling and abuse of migrant laborors and sex workers. 

“As Saudis, human rights are very much intrinsic to the fabric of the society. It is part of our Islamic tradition and culture. We’ve always had a culture of service and you can even see this through the nonprofits that are around. 

“I think, as you see with Vision 2030, it has a lot of focus on fields that are extremely important for us. We are still signatories to many conventions. This is a priority. And we are consistently putting work into it.”

Al-Tamimi urges critics to visit Saudi Arabia to see how far the Kingdom has come in the defense and respect of human rights. 

“I would invite a lot of people in the West to come to Saudi Arabia to witness it for themselves,” she said. 

“There’s a lot of misconceptions and misperceptions that are really very outdated, and the best way to really judge a place is to come and experience it and see it. I very much look forward to more people coming here and witnessing and living through all the changes that we see.” 

In particular, Al-Tamimi wants the world to recognize the progress made on women’s rights in the Kingdom.

“A myth that I’d like to quash about Saudi is myths dealing with women and women’s rights,” she said.

“Women are so empowered. They have really taken charge of their lives. The amount of sociocultural and economic changes and empowerment given to women nowadays has been immense. 

“Not just women driving — which we all know about — but also women traveling, women taking custody of their children, women being able to be heads of households, women at the workplace, women dealing with retirement age, and a lot of different sectors opening up to women which were previously closed.” 


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 07 June 2025
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Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.

 


Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

Updated 07 June 2025
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Nusuk app guides more than 35k pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha

  • Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app — developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, played a “key role” on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, helping to guide more than 35,000 Hajj pilgrims, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The app “highlights the ministry’s commitment to using technology for smooth pilgrim movement and effective crowd management at the holy sites, reflecting integrated technical and operational services during Hajj,” the SPA wrote.

Available in 10 languages, the app offers more than 120 digital services to support pilgrims’ arrival and rituals. With direct links to 25 government agencies and 10 private sector entities, Nusuk — a part of the ministry’s digital-transformation drive in line with Vision 2030 — “has become a comprehensive platform for the pilgrim journey,” the SPA reported.

For this year’s Hajj, the ministry added more than 30 new services to the app, including Nusuk AI — a digital assistant that provides guidance and responds to pilgrims’ inquiries via voice and text in multiple languages.

 


Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi crown prince urges international community to end Israeli aggression in Gaza

  • Prince Mohammed made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina

MINA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday reaffirmed “the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences” of Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza.

He made the comments during a speech to dignitaries and officials marking Eid Al-Adha in Mina, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“The suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, he said.

“We reaffirm the importance of the international community’s role in ending the disastrous consequences of this aggression, protecting innocent civilians, and working toward a new reality in which Palestine can enjoy peace in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions.”

The crown prince was speaking during a meeting with Eid Al-Adha well-wishers at the Royal Court in Mina Palace.

“God Almighty has honored this country with the service of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, including pilgrims, Umrah performers and other guests,” he said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia places this sacred duty at the forefront of its priorities, harnessing all its capabilities to serve the guests of God and ensuring that they are able to perform their rituals with ease and comfort.

The crown prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling this responsibility, recognizing both the great honor and the immense trust it entails.

“We ask God Almighty to perpetuate security and stability in our country, in all Muslim countries and across the world,” he said.

“May He accept the Hajj of the pilgrims to the House of God and return them safely to their families.”


MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

Updated 07 June 2025
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MWL chief meets Syria’s Awqaf minister

  • They discussed a variety of topics of common interest

RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-hair Shukri to discuss “a variety of topics of common interest,” the MWL wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh recently met with the Malaysian delegation of Islamic leaders participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

 

 


Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

Updated 07 June 2025
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Saudi Crown Prince meets Maldivian, Mauritanian presidents to discuss partnership opportunities

  • Two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations

MINA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Saturday with President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Mina Palace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two leaders exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings and discussed ways to strengthen relations and expand cooperation between their countries across various fields, SPA added.

The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to bolster Saudi-Maldivian ties and explore new avenues for partnership.

A number of senior Saudi officials attended the meeting, including Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region; Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From the Maldivian side, the delegation included several ministers including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel.

The high-level talks come as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen engagement with nations across South Asia, in line with its broader diplomatic and economic outreach initiatives.

Also on Saturday, Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Prince Mohammed held talks with President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. (SPA)

They also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, in addition to discussing overall relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, SPA reported.