In pictures: Saudi Arabian women attend kingdom's National Day celebrations
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. Photo: AFP
(AFP) - Hundreds of women thronged a sports stadium for the first time on Saturday to mark Saudi Arabia’s national day celebrated across the conservative kingdom.
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.
“We hope in the future that there will be no restrictions on our entrance to the stadium,” Um Abdulrahman, a woman from the northwestern city of Tabuk, told AFP.
“For many years ago I have hoped that women will be given the same rights as men.”
Saudi women arrive to a rally to celebrate the 87th annual National Day of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Photo: Reuters
Saudi women sitting inside the stadium, awaiting to celebrate the 87th annual National Day of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Photo: Reuters
Saudi women cheering and celebrating the annual 87th National Day in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
Saudi women arriving at the stadium to celebrate the National Day of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
Saudi families arriving at the stadium to attend the celebrations of the country’s National Day in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
A Saudi woman showing a victory sign ahead of the country’s 87th National Day in Riyadh. Photo: AFP
A Saudi boy is holding a flag with an image of Saudi Arabia’s king on the 87th National Day. Photo: AFP
Saudi women were allowed for the first time in the history of the country to attend an event in a stadium. Photo: AFP
Saudi woman arrives at the stadium while using the phone to take a picture. Photo: AFP
