Young Saudi Women at Full Throttle On the Road to Freedom; Riding Motorcycles On the Streets of Riyadh
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 June 2025
· Young Saudi Women at Full Throttle On the Road to Freedom; Riding Motorcycles On the Streets of Riyadh
· Pioneering Emirati Pilot, Mariam Al Mansoori, On A Mission to Inspire as UAE Women Build for The Future
· "Woman Is Like A Flower": Iran Supreme Leader's Old Posts Are Viral
· Nigeria Crowned First-Ever African Men's and Women's Flag Football Champions
· Warnings of Threats to the British Social Fabric Due to Calls for a Burqa Ban
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-women-freedom-motorcycles-riyadh/d/135958
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Young Saudi Women At Full Throttle On The Road To Freedom; Riding Motorcycles On The Streets Of Riyadh
RAHAF JAMBI
June 22, 2025
The Sisterhood Motorcycle Club, with its all-female membership, is at the forefront of young Saudi women discovering new freedom riding motorcycles on the streets of Riyadh. (Supplied)
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RIYADH: Young Saudi women are discovering a new freedom riding motorcycles on the streets of Riyadh, challenging stereotypes and fostering an empowering community.
The Sisterhood Motorcycle Club, with its all-female membership, is at the forefront of this trend.
Founded in 2022 by Capt. Saud Albarak and RoaaTalalAbualsaud, the club was born from a simple idea: to create a safe, inclusive space for women in Saudi Arabia to explore their passion for motorcycles.
“We wanted to break stereotypes and build a strong community that supports freedom, confidence, and sisterhood on and off the road,” Abdulsaud said.
This mission resonates deeply with women who have long felt restricted by societal norms and expectations, she added.
For many club members, motorcycles are not only a mode of transport, but also represent independence and the breaking of barriers.
Joining the club is an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and embrace a lifestyle that celebrates adventure and camaraderie. The club seeks to encourage women to embrace their passions, while providing a supportive network for those who seek to share this journey.
Abualsaud, a dentist and proud biker, explained her motivation for co-founding Sisterhood. “I wanted to create a space where women could feel both powerful and supported,” she said.
“As someone who always seeks adventure, riding became my way of feeling free and present. Building and leading this club wasn’t just about motorcycles — it was about making a statement that women can be bold, united, and unstoppable.”
Sisterhood membership is open to all women, regardless of their experience with motorcycles.
“Owning a bike is not required to join. We welcome women at all levels, whether you’re an experienced rider, someone considering getting a license, or simply curious about the community,” Abdulsaud said.
This inclusive approach makes it easier for women to join without feeling intimidated, fostering a sense of belonging.
“I’ve always been passionate about adventurous hobbies. I ride horses and have loved ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) since childhood. So, when women were allowed to ride motorcycles, I jumped at the opportunity,” said club member MaisaAlhugaily.
“What drew me specifically to Sisterhood Club was the sense of community and empowerment it offers. I wanted to be part of a group that supports and uplifts women, while exploring something exciting and different.”
The club provides mentorship, safety training, and introductory riding experiences to ensure that new members can embark on their journeys with confidence.
“What matters most is the spirit of adventure and respect for the community,” Abdulsaud said. This commitment to safety and education helps demystify the world of motorcycles, making it accessible to everyone.
The importance of such clubs for Saudi women cannot be overstated, she believes.
“These clubs give Saudi women visibility, voice, and validation in spaces traditionally dominated by men. Riding a motorcycle in Saudi Arabia is more than a hobby — it’s a symbol of choice, strength, and movement.”
Sisterhood empowers women by offering them opportunities to lead, connect, travel, and inspire each other.
This empowerment is crucial in a society where women are often expected to conform to traditional roles. The presence of female riders challenges stereotypes and encourages other women to explore their interests without feeling limited by societal expectations.
“It also helps normalize the presence of female riders in public, creating a ripple effect for future generations of girls to dream big without limitations,” Abdulsaud says.
Currently, Sisterhood organizes over 40 rides and has 260 active members from cities across Saudi Arabia. The community is steadily growing, with regular collaborations with riders from other Gulf countries.
Abdulsaud said: “Sisterhood is not just a local club — it’s part of a larger movement.” This expansion reflects the increasing interest among women in pursuing activities that defy traditional gender roles.
In addition to riding, the club engages in various events and interests that foster camaraderie and personal growth.
“We participate in local and regional motorcycle events, organize safety awareness workshops, community outreach rides, and even lifestyle gatherings like motorcycle fashion events, fitness classes, and off-road trips,” Abdulsaud said.
The wide range of activities encourages a lifestyle filled with empowerment, connection, and fun.
Through the Sisterhood Motorcycle Club, Saudi women are not only discovering a passion for riding, but also building a supportive network that champions their dreams and aspirations. The club embodies a spirit of unity and strength, allowing women to pursue their passions unapologetically.
“We’re telling them, you have a place among us,” Abdulsaud said.
The Sisterhood Motorcycle Club is more than just a group of women who ride; it is a movement that signifies freedom, empowerment, and sisterhood. As these women continue to break barriers and redefine their roles in society, they are paving the way for future generations to ride boldly into their own destinies.
Source:arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2605419/saudi-arabia
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Pioneering Emirati Pilot, Mariam Al Mansoori, On A Mission to Inspire as UAE Women Build for The Future
Shireena Al Nowais
June 23, 2025
The sky is the limit for a trailblazing Emirati woman hoping to inspire others to make their dreams take flight as she provides a crucial guiding hand in the success of a cutting-edge crewless aircraft made in the UAE.
Mariam Al Mansoori recently etched her name in the history books when she became the first female citizen to remotely pilot the high-tech Garmoosha, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The light aircraft was developed by Adasi, a subsidiary of defence conglomerate Edge, to act as a critical tool for armed forces by flying into hazardous areas to capture valuable information without putting a pilot's life at risk.
Edge is one of the top 25 military suppliers in the world, known for investing heavily in innovation, smart weapons and emerging technology.
Ms Al Mansoori, a senior production engineer at Adasi, was among the high-flying Emirati women to tell The National of their achievements to mark International Women in Engineering Day, celebrated on June 23 each year.
“I’m so proud of myself. Recently I achieved my dream. I became a UAV pilot for Garmoosha," said Ms Al Mansoori, who joined Adasi nearly a decade ago. "So I’m not only working as an engineer, I’m also a UAV pilot.”
She has worked on Garmoosha from its earliest days, involved in its development, integration and testing, and now supervises its production line.
“It’s amazing. You build it, then you see it fly and you have full control. That feeling is huge,” she said. “Since the first day I joined Adasi, I had this plan, inshallah, one day I will become a pilot. Last week, I graduated.”
She is now certified after completing ground school and 20 hours of field training. “When you see Garmoosha flying and you’re the one in control, it’s something else," she said.
Her success, she said, sends a message to young Emirati women: “Women can work and achieve in all fields. Our role is not different than men’s.”
Mouza Al Zaabi, an engineer at Edge subsidiary EPI, works in the defence and oil and gas division. She leads complex repair projects from start to finish – from technical analysis to customer communication and delivery.
“As an engineer in a high-precision, high-stakes environment, every day is a learning opportunity,” she said. “These challenges have shaped me, I’ve become more resilient and agile.”
Ms Al Zaabi said her family have always been her foundation by offering their encouragement. “They encouraged me and made me the proud Emirati woman I am today,” she said. “Their belief gave me strength.”
Her advice to anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps is: “Always believe in yourself. Don’t underestimate what you can bring. Engineering isn’t about gender, it’s about skill and passion.”
Powering progress
At Halcon, another Edge company that focuses on guided weapons systems, Aliya Al Jaberi works as an engineer in the power electronics department. She is responsible for designing how electricity is controlled and distributed across the company’s advanced weapons platforms.
“I’ve been at Halcon for three years now,” she said. “What fascinated me about electronics engineering is understanding how complex, critical systems work.”
She acknowledges the challenges of working in a male-dominated field but sees it as an opportunity for growth, not limitation. “It shaped me for the better,” she said. “My advice to other women: trust yourself. Our country has invested in us, now it’s time we give back.”
Championing diversity
Emirati women are also reshaping the workplace landscape at Ducab, one of the region’s largest cable and wire manufacturers.
Out of 99 engineers at Ducab, 16 are women, an encouraging number in an industry historically dominated by men.
Ducab is a member of the Challenger Programme, a national initiative to increase gender diversity in heavy industry by improving workplace culture, leadership pipelines and company policies.
Projects in the pipeline include gender audits, a culture toolkit and cross-organisational mentorship programmes.
Gender should be no barrier
Asal Alameri, an operational excellence engineer, sets performance standards and works on improving manufacturing processes across the company’s cable production plants.
“It’s a very fun and challenging field,” she said. “Engineering isn’t as physical or male-oriented as people think. It’s about solving problems.”
She joined Ducab through a student sponsorship while studying at Higher Colleges of Technology. Her sister who is also an engineer, paved the way.
“She taught me things I didn’t know – like how GPA [grade point average] works from the first semester, or the importance of attendance and first impressions,” Ms Alameri said. “That made a difference.”
While cable production is still machinery-heavy, she says the engineering teams are increasingly balanced.
“Maybe not 50-50 yet, but women are excelling in every department,” she said. “It’s not about quantity, but quality.”
Rising to the challenge
Shaima Ali, senior material engineer at Ducab, manages the raw materials that power the company’s products – from copper and aluminium to specialised polymers.
“My background is chemical engineering,” she said. “I can apply that to choosing the right materials and understanding how they affect quality and performance.”
She began as a trainee engineer, moved into manufacturing, and now leads material selection and compliance, ensuring all materials meet regulatory and technical standards.
“It’s never boring. There’s always a new challenge,” she said. “But the most exciting part is seeing how AI and technology are transforming our roles.
"For example, we used to do reports manually. Now, with a few inputs, the system generates them automatically, saving 50 per cent of our time.”
Her message: “Believe in your potential. Don’t let stereotypes define your path. Engineering needs diverse minds.”
ShamaAlmarzooqi, also at Ducab, is a senior operational excellence engineer currently preparing to pursue a doctorate in artificial intelligence and sustainability in manufacturing.
She joined the company in 2020 after being sponsored as a student in 2018. Since then, she has rotated through various roles from process engineering to manufacturing and now excellence optimisation.
“I’m a progress person,” she said. “I already finished my Master’s, and now I’m working on my research for a PhD. I’m thinking about how AI can make manufacturing more sustainable.”
Her job involves analysing production data to reduce costs and improve quality. She works closely with departments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“It’s not a desk job,” she said. “I move between departments and sites. Sometimes it’s exhausting, especially in the summer, but when I see the results, I feel proud.”
Among her recent accomplishments was helping to develop an AI tool to track production output and plan machine maintenance, reducing downtime and improving performance. “It’s a powerful feeling,” she said. “It shows how data and innovation can create real value.”
When she first told her family she wanted to become an engineer, it was a surprise for them. “I was the first woman in my family to choose this path. It was a challenge just to explain it to them,” she said. “But once I started, they gave me the strength to keep going.”
Her advice to others: “Engineering isn’t just about machines or maths. It’s about shaping the future. If you’re curious and determined and want to make an impact, this is your path.”
Source:thenationalnews.com
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/06/23/pioneering-emirati-pilot-on-a-mission-to-inspire-as-uae-women-build-for-the-future/
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"Woman Is Like A Flower": Iran Supreme Leader's Old Posts Are Viral
Jun 21, 2025
Amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, social media users have dug up old, bizarre posts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the posts, Mr Khamenei can be seen musing about women's rights, liking poetry, standing up for the Black Lives Matter movement, reading the Indian prime minister's book and mentioning how he was 'naughty' and 'playful' as a kid.
Some of the posts date back at least a decade and paint a starkly different portrait of Mr Khamenei. Social media users were surprised by the posts, with some stating they had perhaps harshly judged the 86-year-old leader -- the most senior cleric in the extremist Islamic Republic.
In a series of women-centric posts, Mr Khamenei stood up for the fairer sex whilst also dishing out love advice.
"Man has a responsibility to understand #woman's needs and feelings and must not be neglectful toward her #emotional state," he wrote.
Social media users were quick to react, with one X user replying: "I apologise, ayatollah khamenei, I was unfamiliar with your game."
Another wrote: "Born to be a lover, forced to be the supreme leader."
In one post from 2013, Mr Khamenei recalled his awkward school days. “I went 2school w/a cloak since1st days; it was uncomfortable 2wear it in front f other kids, but I tried 2make up 4it by being naughty&playful,” he wrote.
Mr Khamenei even commented on reading a book by India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to understand the country's past.
"Before studying "Glimpses of World History" by Mr. #Nehru I didn't know #India before colonization had undergone so many important #advances"
A third commented: "Ayatollah Khamenei is the first guy to be uncancelled after old tweets resurfaced."
The posts have surfaced at a time when the Iranian leader has vowed not to surrender even as Israel and the US continue to pile pressure. Mr Khamenei recently threatened that if the US got involved in the ongoing conflict, it would bring "irreparable damage to them".
Source: ndtv.com
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-supreme-leaders-old-feminist-liberal-posts-resurface-internet-is-amused-8721562
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Nigeria Crowned First-Ever African Men's and Women's Flag Football Champions
By Lena Smirnova
22 June 2025
Nigeria was the biggest winner at the IFAF Africa Flag Continental Championships with the country's men’s and women’s flag football teams taking top prizes in the inaugural tournament on Saturday, 21 June.
The Nigerian men emerged victorious in a thrilling 13-12 final against hosts Egypt in Cairo, Egypt while the country’s women got a dominant 26-12 victory over Morocco.
“This is a great achievement for us and I’m proud of every woman out here,” said Nigeria women’s quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello, who threw four touchdowns passes in the final. “I feel excited for the girls here. There is an opportunity to go to the world championships and show everyone what we can do.”
Tunisia took the bronze medal in the men’s tournament while Egypt wrapped up the podium in the women’s competition.
Their victories in Cairo earn the two Nigerian teams a direct pass to the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, which will feature the world’s top 16 teams of each gender. Nigeria are the first teams to qualify with more continental championships to follow over 2025.
The inaugural African flag football championships are part of the efforts to grow the sport on the continent ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. The tournament featured 11 teams from eight nations with 10 of the teams earning their first official world rankings.
Source:olympics.com
https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ifaf-africa-flag-continental-championships-nigeria-crowned-first-ever-african-champions
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Warnings of Threats to the British Social Fabric Due to Calls for a Burqa Ban
June 22, 2025
Warnings of Threats to the British Social Fabric Due to Calls for a Burqa Ban
The British government is facing mounting criticism following parliamentary calls to ban the niqab or burqa in public places. Activists and observers describe this move as an attempt to incite anti-Muslim sentiment and achieve political gains at the expense of social cohesion.
The initial call came from a newly elected member of a right-wing party, who chose to address the issue of the burqa in her first parliamentary speech, neglecting pressing issues such as the cost of living crisis, the healthcare system, and rising crime rates. This choice has sparked widespread astonishment and discontent among human rights and social circles.
Activists warn that stirring controversy over the burqa, which is worn by only a few thousand women out of approximately four million Muslims in Britain, contributes to reinforcing negative stereotypes against Muslims, ignoring the fact that the majority wear it voluntarily for religious or personal reasons.
Community work experts assert that associating the niqab with issues of “public safety” or “integration” lacks real evidence and is instead used for electoral and media objectives. They point out that instances where the niqab is imposed by force generally fall within the context of domestic violence, which requires social support rather than exclusionary laws.
While there are already protocols in place at sensitive facilities for identity verification when necessary, a general ban is perceived as a targeting of a specific religious group, posing a risk of denying women their personal freedoms and exacerbating feelings of marginalization.
Observers believe that such policies could weaken the British social fabric and lead to greater division, rather than fostering a society based on pluralism and mutual respect.
Workers in Muslim women’s support networks affirm that the majority of those who choose to wear the niqab see it as an expression of identity, not as a symbol of societal detachment. They call for redirecting public discourse towards addressing the real issues facing all citizens, rather than exaggerating practices that do not pose an actual threat.
Source:shiawaves.com
https://shiawaves.com/english/united-kingdom/127899-warnings-of-threats-to-the-british-social-fabric-due-to-calls-for-a-burqa-ban/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-women-freedom-motorcycles-riyadh/d/135958