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Saudi Arabia Further Develops Women's Role in the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque (SPA file photo)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque (SPA file photo)
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Saudi Arabia Further Develops Women's Role in the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques

Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque (SPA file photo)
Worshippers perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque (SPA file photo)

The General President of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudais appointed Fatima al-Tuwaijri as Assistant to the General President for Women's Affairs at the Prophet's Mosque.

The appointment underscores the Saudi leadership's determination to develop the role of women in the workplace.

The president extended his congratulations to Tuwaijri, saying: "The appointment of Dr. Fatima al-Tuwaijri as Assistant to the General President for the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque represents a quantum leap in empowering women in the Two Holy Mosques."

Tuwaijri expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude for the leadership's confidence, saying her new position will help serve the Prophet's Mosque and its pilgrims.

She pointed out that appointing women in leadership positions embodies the presidency's efforts and its keenness to empower women and in achieving Vision 2030.

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques made essential steps in this regard and appointed Saudi women in high leadership positions for the first time in its history.

Last August, Sudais appointed two female assistants for the management of the Two Holy Mosques in a historic first for the Kingdom.

At the time, Sudais explained that women working at the Two Holy Mosques had proven their competence in various fields.

"The presidency aims to continue working to achieve the maximum benefit from the distinguished female cadres and to harness their efforts in serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors in line with Vision 2030," he added.

In January, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs appointed its first female undersecretary since its establishment more than 28 years ago.

The Ministry described the move as "a qualitative leap to empower women to work in the public sector" within the framework of Vision 2030, which aims to increase the participation of women in the labor market and public positions.

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Varieties

October’s Supermoon Pairs with a Comet for a Special Nighttime Spectacle

The moon rises behind the lighthouse at the harbor of Travemuende, northern Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP)
The moon rises behind the lighthouse at the harbor of Travemuende, northern Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP)
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October’s Supermoon Pairs with a Comet for a Special Nighttime Spectacle

The moon rises behind the lighthouse at the harbor of Travemuende, northern Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP)
The moon rises behind the lighthouse at the harbor of Travemuende, northern Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP)

October's supermoon is the closest of the year and it's teaming up with a comet for a rare stargazing two-for-one.

The third of four supermoons this year, it will be 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) away Wednesday night, making it seem even bigger and brighter than in August and September. It will reach its full lunar phase Thursday.

In a twist of cosmic fate, a comet is in the neighborhood. Discovered last year, comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is now prominent in the Northern Hemisphere after wowing stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere.

The moonlight will wash out some of the comet’s tail, but it’s still worth a look after sunset, said NASA's Bill Cooke.

“Most astronomers hate the full moon because its bright light messes up observing other objects. So it’s a bit hard for us to wax poetic about it even if it’s the biggest supermoon of 2024,” he said in an email.

Better catch the comet; it may never return. But don't fret if you miss Thursday's supermoon. The fourth and final supermoon of the year will rise on Nov. 15.

What makes a moon so super? More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. This usually happens only three or four times a year and consecutively, given the moon’s constantly shifting, oval-shaped orbit.

A supermoon obviously isn’t bigger, but it can appear that way, although scientists say the difference can be barely perceptible.

How do supermoons compare? There’s a quartet of supermoons this year.

The one in August was 224,917 miles (361,970 kilometers) away. September's was nearly 3,000 miles (4,484 kilometers) closer the night of Sept. 17 into the following morning. A partial lunar eclipse also unfolded that night, visible in much of the Americas, Africa and Europe as Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, resembling a small bite.

October's supermoon is the year’s closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth, followed by the November supermoon at a distance of 224,853 miles (361,867 kilometers).

What’s in it for me? Scientists point out that only the keenest observers can discern the subtle differences. It’s easier to detect the change in brightness — a supermoon can be 30% brighter than average.

With the US and other countries ramping up lunar exploration with landers and eventually astronauts, the moon beckons brighter than ever.