Hasinah Al-Fahmi

A Saudi woman in Makkah was forced to stop selling goods near the Grand Mosque, her family’s only source of income, after she was beaten up by members of Makkah Municipality.

Hasinah Al-Fahmi was treated for more than a week at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital according to a medical report obtained by Makkah daily.

The newspaper learned from an informed source that her case is still pending at Al-Mansour police station after two months of investigation.

Al-Fahmi, 35, said while she was selling items in Makkah’s central area on Ibrahim Al-Khaleel Street, several members of the committee for combating hawking approached her.

Despite her attempts to prevent them from taking her goods and to allow her to leave peacefully, several members of the committee assaulted her and confiscated her goods, she said.

Al-Fahmi said that she provides for seven children, five sons and two daughters.

She also pays an annual rent of SR19,200 for the house her family is staying in.

She said these expenses have forced her to hawk goods to visitors to Makkah, especially as her husband has retired from the army due to bad health.

He is bedridden, while his pension is insufficient to meet living costs such as his children’s school fees and other needs.

Chairman of the Anti-Hawking Committee Muhammad Al-Ghamdi confirmed a Saudi woman has lodged a complaint.

He said: “Investigations are ongoing into the alleged incident where the committee members beat up the female Saudi citizen.”

Al-Ghamdi said the regulations forbid beating up violators.

“Violations have to be dealt with according to the procedures mentioned in the regulations.

“Also, the woman’s case has been referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs so we can look into her living conditions.

“Her case will be dealt with in a humane manner.

“She will be supported financially and granted a house to shelter her and her family.”

 
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