JEDDAH, 5 February 2003 — Despite the regulations introduced a few years ago directing that women pilgrims be accompanied by a mahram (male relative), women will constitute 50 percent of the total number of pilgrims this year, according to Abu Bakr Ba-Qader, a consultant at the Ministry of Haj.

Haj visa rules stipulate that all women pilgrims travel with a mahram who fulfills the requirements of Islamic law.

Proof of the relationship to the woman must be submitted when applying for the visa. The mahram will not be allowed to leave Saudi Arabia unless the woman accompanies him. Women over 45 are, however, exempted. They are allowed to travel without a mahram if they are with an organized group. She must, however, submit a no-objection letter from her husband, son or brother, authorizing her to perform Haj with the group; and the letter must be notarized.

Six months ago, the Committee for Saudi Female Mutawafeen was established to participate in providing services to female pilgrims. The president of the committee, Hiam Benjabi, complains that so far it has been sidelined and denied any authority or significant role to play. As a result, its earnings have been minimal.

“Beginning in the 1960s, women worked as mutawafeen with offices and groups of pilgrims whom they took care of,” she said. “However, in the 1980s when the mutawafeen’s organization system was implemented, the women’s role was eliminated. Now women have a separate administration within the organization but are restricted in many ways — for instance, they must have a male agent operating on their behalf. Women have a lot to offer to pilgrims and are very knowledgeable and capable of doing our work.”

Benjabi agrees that women cannot do field work.

“First, officials have to believe that we are capable of contributing to the mutawafeen system, and then we can work together on a feasible plan that will not violate our Islamic traditions.”

Meanwhile, the annual Haj seminar got under way at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makkah yesterday. The theme of the three-day event is “Makkah: The Intellectual Capital of the Islamic World”.

Various Haj-related subjects will be discussed by scholars from different Islamic countries. The seminar is open to everyone.

“We want to present Saudi society in a positive way to our international female visitors, introduce them to each other and of course talk about Haj,” said Noorah Al-Amoudi, one of the female organizers for the women’s section of the seminar.