Karate enthusiasts Kholoud Al-Shaf'ee and friends from Makkah are showing the way in keeping up with the times without losing sight of Islamic and social values by entering the world of martial arts, a step described as “the first of its kind”. “I love karate because it helps build self-confidence and gives me the skills to defend myself against aggressors,” Kholoud says. The group trains in karate at a hospital-run female-only club. Kholoud, who worked as a receptionist at the same hospital, was the first to join before she encouraged friends and other girls to form a team that continues to expand as other Black Belt Makkah girls join in.
