• Saudi Arabian camel riders and horsewomen take part in the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, 160km from the capital Riyadh. The festival introduced a round for women, allowing them for the first time to enter their animals in a beauty contest. All photos: AFP
    Saudi Arabian camel riders and horsewomen take part in the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, 160km from the capital Riyadh. The festival introduced a round for women, allowing them for the first time to enter their animals in a beauty contest. All photos: AFP
  • It is the sixth King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.
    It is the sixth King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.
  • The event is part of a national programme to promote the breeding and welfare of camels.
    The event is part of a national programme to promote the breeding and welfare of camels.
  • The 44-day festival runs until mid-January.
    The 44-day festival runs until mid-January.
  • Emirati men ride in a camel carriage at the festival.
    Emirati men ride in a camel carriage at the festival.
  • A Saudi Arabian traditional dance troupe performs.
    A Saudi Arabian traditional dance troupe performs.
  • Activities at the festival include racing, camel beauty contests, auctions and training events.
    Activities at the festival include racing, camel beauty contests, auctions and training events.
  • Women camel owners watch from the VIP section.
    Women camel owners watch from the VIP section.
  • As part of its campaign to promote camel farming, the kingdom introduced the Saudi Camel Club in 2017 and the International Camel Organisation in 2019.
    As part of its campaign to promote camel farming, the kingdom introduced the Saudi Camel Club in 2017 and the International Camel Organisation in 2019.
  • This year, the kingdom opened the world’s largest camel hospital at a cost of more than $36.5 million.
    This year, the kingdom opened the world’s largest camel hospital at a cost of more than $36.5 million.
  • Women parade on horseback at the festival.
    Women parade on horseback at the festival.

Gulf

King Abdulaziz Camel Festival introduces round for female owners

More than two dozen Saudi women participate in this year's event after being allowed to compete for the first time

The National

January 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Thirty three female camel owners have been allowed to enter their animals for the first time in a beauty contest at a festival in Saudi Arabia.

The sixth King Abdulaziz Camel Festival has introduced an open round for women with Al Maghateer camels, an ancient and highly valued breed.

Taking part in this year's festival, Munira Al Dosari told the Saudi Press Agency her participation aimed to show "the unlimited support that Saudi women enjoy in various fields, and to highlight their role as a key partner in the progress and development of society".

Judges at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held in the north-east of Riyadh, on Saturday announced the results of the women’s singles contest, where Haya Al Askar was first, followed by Rasma Al Dosari in second, Malath bint Aoun in third, Lamia Al-Rashidi in fourth and Dalal bint Abdullah Al Otaibi in fifth.

The Al Mughateer camels are normally divided into colours by Bedouin tribes, from white shades to yellow and red.

The festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors a day from around the world.

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Tomorrow 2021
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Results

Women finals: 48kg - Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL) bt Distria Krasniqi (KOS); 52kg - Odette Guiffrida (ITA) bt Majlinda Kelmendi (KOS); 57kg - Nora Gjakova (KOS) bt Anastasiia Konkina (Rus)

Men’s finals: 60kg - Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) bt Francisco Garrigos (ESP); 66kg - Vazha Margvelashvili (Geo) bt Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ)

Updated: January 09, 2022, 9:58 AM
Photography