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'Under the Abaya' Portrays Unique, Diverse Images of Saudi Arabia's Women

Supplied via AAWSAT AR
Supplied via AAWSAT AR
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'Under the Abaya' Portrays Unique, Diverse Images of Saudi Arabia's Women

Supplied via AAWSAT AR
Supplied via AAWSAT AR

Saudi Arabia has been under the spotlight since the announcement of the Saudi Vision 2030 which holds between its folds social change with a future vision.

Journalist Marriam Mossalli was aware of this change and published her "Under the Abaya book - Street Style from Saudi Arabia", in which she highlights Saudi women's fashion and how it reflects their personality.

Today, Mossali is issuing the second edition of her book in an initiative to reflect the Saudi women's unique versatility.

Speaking to Asharq-Al Awsat, Mossali said the new edition, which is supplied by photos sent from Saudi women, will thoroughly touch on the image of strong Saudi women under the 2030 Vision and put their achievements under the spotlight.

Mossali further asserts that her book is more than a street-style book, it is a platform for women of the Kingdom to show the world how they want to be portrayed on their own terms.

"I wanted the world to know that the diverse and unique Saudi women cannot be stereotyped under a single category. I succeeded in bringing females from all around the Kingdom together so they could transparently speak to the world about their hobbies and ambitions."

100% of the book proceeds will be used to grant scholarships for Saudi women to pursue higher education, according to Mossali.

"This is the least I could do for my country's females. I am proud of this initiative."

The sequel, "Under the Abaya: Saudi Women Who Inspire," has a foreword by Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the US, in an expression of support of this initiative, stressing the importance of investing to empower Saudi women.

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Hundreds Evacuated as Greece Wildfire Rages on Crete

Firefighters stand next to rising flames as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis
Firefighters stand next to rising flames as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis
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Hundreds Evacuated as Greece Wildfire Rages on Crete

Firefighters stand next to rising flames as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis
Firefighters stand next to rising flames as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis

A wildfire fanned by gale-force winds on the southern Greek island of Crete has forced the evacuation of locals and tourists, officials said on Thursday.

Greece is sweltering in a heatwave that is searing much of southern Europe, said AFP.

The country has become particularly vulnerable in recent years to summer wildfires, which are fueled by strong winds, drought and high temperatures linked to climate change.

Local media said around 1,500 people had to be evacuated because of the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday evening.

"Evacuations took place in numerous hotels and tourists were safely transferred to a closed gymnasium in the municipality of Ierapetra," vice-prefect Yannis Androulakis told TV channel Mega, referring to the holiday town in the southeast.

He said the authorities acted because water bomber planes could not reach the affected areas overnight.

"At the moment, there are three active fronts," Androulakis said. "Because of the strong winds, the fire has progressed quite rapidly."

Around 270 firefighters, 10 helicopters and drones have been deployed to tackle the blaze, said Vassilios Vathrakoyannis, a spokesman for the fire service.

They include reinforcements sent in from the capital, Athens.

"There are still a number of different fronts. The fire is burning scrubland and crops," he said.

"The winds are very strong -- up to nine on the Beaufort scale."

- Uneven, arid terrain -

Crete, Greece's largest island, has an arid, uneven landscape criss-crossed by gullies, making it difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze.

The fire has damaged both houses and crops in fruit and vegetable greenhouses, local media said.

Like the rest of Crete, Ierapetra –- a seaside resort with a population of 23,000 -- takes in thousands of tourists in the summer.

Vathrakoyannis said the authorities would assess the extent of the damage once the fire had been brought under control.

He stressed the risk of fires was "considerable" in July, the hottest month of the year in Greece.

Until now, Greece had been more or less spared the heatwave that has gripped other parts of southern Europe.

The country recorded its hottest ever summer last year when 45,000 hectares were torched, according to WWF Greece and the Athens National Observatory.

In terms of surface area destroyed, 2023 was the worst on record.

Nearly 175,000 hectares were obliterated and 20 people died during a series of prolonged heatwaves when temperatures rose in places to 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit).