New Delhi

 

The residents of Jeddah witnessed an unprecedented scene on Tuesday: a group of 47 women cyclists not wearing face covers – passed through the main roads of the city in what was to be the first-ever women cyclists’ race in the Kingdom.

 

This is happening in a country where till the other day, the law forbade a woman from venturing out unaccompanied by a man, something that is being re-imposed in the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

 

Nadima Abu al-Enein, the organiser of the women cyclists' race

 

All the women completed the 10-km race and posted pictures on Instagram and other social media outlets.

 

The race was organized by Be Active, a group bringing together women cyclists and local authorities.In a statement to local media, race organizer Nadima Abu al-Enein said she was surprised by the number of cyclists in attendance.

 

 

Saudi women flying to freedom

 

"The large participant turnout prompted the organizing committee to increase the allowed number of participants from 30 to 47 girls," she said. "However, the committee was still forced to exclude numerous others who hoped to participate."

 

Abu al-Enein founded Jeddah Woman Cyclist, a cycling club for Saudi women and girls, last year. Those interested in joining don’t need to own a bicycle or even know how to ride—the team aims to help with both in its mission to encourage more women to bike.Declaring the race “a new dawn and a new day for Saudi women and women in other parts of the world,” Abu al-Enein is pressing on despite her critics. Her next step? “Organize another race with big goals,” she said.

 

Saudi women participating in the first ever cycling competition in Jeddah

 

The winds of change in what was till five years ago the most conservative place to be in started with the vision of one man - crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and has since seen women opening businesses and even mixed gender cyclist clubs across the Kingdom.

 

Saudi Arabia has also opened its economy to the world and is focusing on tourism in a major way. The rights to women have been given consering the reality that women force lying idle is a setback to the growth of the country.