Riyadh: During a visit to the Riyadh International Book Festival on its last day, Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and president of the General Presidency for Affairs of Two Holy Mosques said that over 200 women were employed in the presidency this year alone as part of Saudi Arabia's women empowerment outreach programme.
Imam Al-Sudais highlighted the achievements of women in the presidency and said that more opportunities would be opened up for Saudi women who had obtained masters and doctorates.
"We are seeking to give women their rightful and adequate place which was ordered by our religion and applied by our leaders," he said. The move to include women comes under the aegis of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme to "empower women and encourage the youth".
In August, Al-Sudais appointed Dr Al-Anoud Al-Aboud and Dr Fatima Al-Rashoud as assistants to his office in addition to other senior positions within the organization.