RIYADH, 15 January 2006 — Survival of the fittest appeared to be the law of nature in the women’s toilets at pilgrims’ sites this past week. Complaints of a severe shortage of comfort rooms for women were common among the pilgrims of the fairer gender.
Arab News was told about women pushing, pulling and pinching one another in bids to outmaneuver each other for access to the facilities.
Speaking after successfully performing Haj, Sofia Haroon told Arab News that the shortage of toilets for women created a filthy and ugly situation where might prevailed over right in attending the call of nature.
“I saw a fair-looking and well-built woman pull a weak Indian woman by the scruff of her neck in a power-packed move to pee first,” she said.
According to Haroon, the limited number of toilets for women and unhygienic conditions prevailing there, creating a nightmarish and disgusting experience.
An Indian woman said many went on fasts and abstained from drinking water to avoid beelines to the WCs.
In spite of the problem with bathroom facilities for women, this year’s Haj was marked by one particular maiden’s maiden event. For the first time, a Saudi woman has set up business in the pilgrimage area that had hitherto been the man’s domain.
Mohammed Khaja, a resident of Riyadh, told Arab News that he was surprised to see a young Saudi woman selling food and drinks to the pilgrims in Arafat. Other women assisted her in the task. “It’s a new development unheard of before,” Khaja said.
