By Hanan Alnufaie
Saudi Gazette
TRADITIONALLY the fasting month of Ramadan is an occasion for family gatherings, cooking delicious food, testing different restaurants and, of course, a renewed zeal for worship.
However, this Ramadan Saudi women in Riyadh are witnessing a host of new activities. These include family entertainment events, fashion shows, makeup workshops, beauty bazaars, children’s activities and summer camps.
With this dramatic change in how the holy month is spent, Saudi Gazette sat down with a number of women to know how they think and feel about the new activities for ladies.
“If you have lived in Riyadh for a long time, you will surely notice the change. I personally enjoy it a lot. I just had an amazing evening yesterday. I went with my family to a wonderful fashion event at Four Seasons,” Noura Ahmed, 24, said.
Noura, a fresh graduate, said she initially expected the place to be literally empty because everyone would be busy with worship or iftar parties. “However, the event turned out to fully crowded and it was obvious women enjoyed these types of events to the full,” she said.
Noura considered it a big step, “because a few years ago we had nowhere to go and enjoy. I could only meet my friends at restaurants and eat. However, now the case is totally different, especially in Ramadan. I can participate as an organizer and exhibitor, or perhaps market the events. If I did not do any of these, I can simply go to see and buy the latest fashion designs and makeup products.”
She added: “Ladies-only events in Ramadan also give us the chance to see our favorite female celebrities who come to meet their fans, take selifies and send them to Snapchat.”
Salwa Abdullah, a mother and teacher, had a very similar impression. “Yes, I enjoy going to Ramadan ladies’ events. Before we could only shop for Eid from the malls. We bought clothes, makeup and accessories from the brands displayed at the malls. This year, the situation has changed as I have many more options. I can buy my outfit from Saudi fashion designers and I can get different Saudi brands like Afnan Batel’s makeup line. These ladies events opened the doors for talented Saudi women to showcase their abaya designs, outfit designs, accessories and even shoe designs,” she said.
Talking about the disadvantages of having so many such events, she opened up her mind: “I love getting to know Saudi female designers who can change the traditional concept that a chic lady must get her items from a well-known brand. However, sometimes we have several events in one day. So you do not know where to go. To me that is not a good thing, because you will make people feel lost. The timing of these events should be more organized,” she commented.”
