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29 March 2024

'No women' in Grand Mosque library surprises Saudi female government expert

Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Staff

Saudi authorities overseeing the Grand Mosque in Makkah have come under fire for banning women from entering the massive library.

A Saudi female government social expert said she was shocked when she visited the world’s largest mosque and discovered that women are not allowed into the library.

“I went to the Grand Mosque the other day. While I was searching for a place to sit, The ‘Library’ sign caught my eye.

“I never knew there was one inside the Grand Mosque until I saw the sign,” said Modi Al-Zahrani, a psychologist overseeing social protection initiatives at the Saudi Ministry of Social Affairs.

“I was happy. I thought I should check it out. I went straight to the library, located on the second floor, only to discover that women are not allowed in there.

“There was a big sign on the door ‘No entry for women’. I was shocked,” she wrote in local newspapers.

Zahrai said she could not understand why the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques would put up a sign inside the Grand Mosque.

“And why are men, on the other hand, allowed to go in there and have access to the rich resources the library offers… It is really frustrating that female Umrah performers, especially those coming from outside the Kingdom, cannot visit this important place.

“It would have been a good memory for them to take home and cherish,” she said.

“The Grand Mosque is supposed to be the only place where visitors, male and female alike, should not feel they are being discriminated against. They should be treated equally.

“After all, Muslim men and women of all colors and races circle around the Ka’aba together and at any time they like during the day or the night.”