[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Fatin Husain leads female volunteers in Haj for five years" ids="75969,75968,75967"] FATIN Husain is the first Saudi woman to form a committee of female volunteers to help Haj pilgrims. And she has been heading the committee for the past five years. A mutawwifa, or female Haj guide, with the Tawafa Establishment for South Asian Countries, Fatin holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and a master's in English teaching methods. She is a member of Makkah Cultural and Literary Club, a columnist and a social activist. Husain was one of the female members of the delegation that accompanied King Abdullah on his visit to India in January 2006 when he was the official guest at the country's Republic Day celebrations. The main responsibilities of a female Haj guide include extending whatever assistance the women pilgrims need during their stay in the holy cities. She receives pilgrims, provides them with medical care when necessary and educates them about cultural and religious matters. "As Haj guides, we provide various services such visiting sick pilgrims at hospital and consoling them. We also teach them the correct way of performing Haj and Umrah rites and take them on a tour of archeological and religiously-significant sites, to the Kiswa Factory, Zamzam Factory, the Two Holy Mosques Museum, Umm Al-Qura University and several other places," Husain told Al-Riyadh daily. One of the difficulties facing female Haj guides is lack of official recognition. Most women who work in the field are volunteers. Husain wrote a book about her experience in the field, the challenges she faced and the successes she achieved. She expressed her hope that the Ministry of Haj would recognize female Haj guides soon and issue laws to regulate their work, stressing that all women Haj guides are proud of dedicating their time and efforts to serving the guests of Allah. Husain is an active participant in the Cultural and Literary Club of Makkah. She co-designed operations and helped in organizing many of the club's various activities, such as poetry nights and intellectual seminars. She also was a judge in the cultural contests held by the club and assisted in training youth and developing their skills. She spoke highly of the efforts exerted by female members of the club in enhancing women's social status and raising their awareness about many of the important social issues. Muhammad Bashraheel, the head of the club, described Husain as an active member who continues to contribute to Makkah's cultural and literary landscape. She also came up with constructive suggestions to improve the Haj and Umrah services for pilgrims, Bashraheel said. Husain said her late father, Ibrahim Mohammad, is her role model. He had a big influence on her when she was young and helped shaping her personality. Her mother and husband encouraged her to be independent and pursue her dreams no matter what. Her life in the United States when she was a student had a big effect on her as well. It gave her a chance to open to a new and completely different society and culture and strengthened her belief as a Muslim.
