This has been an extraordinary week for many brave women who made history by breaking cultural taboos. This Saturday 25-year-old graduate student Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman to scale Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain with a 8,848-meter peak.
She scaled the peak from the Nepalese side of the mountain along with a group of 64 climbers including Nepalese Sherpa guides. Raha’s achievement is no ordinary feat for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, a 21-year-old mountaineer from Shimshal Valley of Hunza, Samina Baig, also became the first Pakistani woman to climb the Everest.
She was accompanied by her brother, Mirza Ali, and twin sisters from India — Tashi and Nugshi Malik (both 21 years old). Samina has added several feathers in her cap. She scaled the virgin peak, Chashkin Sar, in 2010 which is now known as Samina Peak. She reached another virgin peak in 2011, which is now called “Koh-i-Brobar” (Mountain of Equality), a reference to her adventures along with her brother.
It’s sad that the Pakistani media failed to highlight this proud event on TV channels. They were busy covering the political mud-slinging following the general elections.
Perhaps, we have misplaced our priorities and are more interested in non-issues. Great news Samina, perhaps, it’s time to conquer the most dangerous peak in the world — K2. — Masood Khan, Jubail
Conquering Everest
