Security forces in Makkah contained chaos caused by more than 5,000 female students who turned violent in their attempt to enroll themselves in Umm Al-Qura University. Several female applicants smashed the school's main gates after admission department's door was closed. They broke glasses in the building, which led to the intervention of security men led by Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi, Director of Makkah Police. Female students, some of whom waited five hours for the admission department to open its doors, stressed that wasta (links with some higher ups) played a prominent role in their not being admitted even when they had scored high marks reaching 90 percent. Guardians of the female students alleged foul play by the school's employees. Ahmad Al-Sulami, a Saudi, said his wife was given an appointment by Umm Al-Qura University for the admission test. They arrived at 7 A.M., he said, but they found the gates shut and security guards barred female students from entering. He was disgusted as his wife, who scored 88 percent, was not admitted. Abdullah Lal, another Saudi, said past years had seen no chaos in admission and registration, pointing out that Dr. Alya Al-Jundi, deputy dean of Admission and Registration, was in full control of the situation and there was no room for wasta and favoritism. When she was shifted to another post, wasta, favoritism and chaos found their way into the process, he added. Najwa Abid Al-Jizani, a female student, said she scored 91.1, an excellent grade, and her only dream was to get admission in school to continue her education. She said she came to Umm Al-Qura University on Wednesday and was unable to register. Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi, Director of Makkah Police denied reports that female students were injured and said there were only cases of furor. There was a stampede among female students which led the outer gate being smashed and female police personnel contained the situation, he said. __
