This law has just been introduced. I received my Saudi nationality about 27 years ago.
At that time, Saudi nationalities were rarely granted to anyone other than the wives of Saudi nationals, and even then, only if they had at least 5 children and had been married for a minimum of 8 years.
When I was granted Saudi nationality, I had only one daughter who was 3 months old.
I took my graduate exams when my daughter was only 22 days old. Now, I have two grown-up children (MashaAllah), a daughter and a son.
Therefore, during the nationality process, I was waiting for my graduation results.
The total time for the process of granting nationality to me was around 8 months. During the process, they investigated my submitted documents and various other facts. Being born in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and being married to a Saudi man were plus points in addition to my high IQ level.
My IQ score was 139.
If anyone is interested in the content of my IQ report, please let me know.
Some of my scores were affected due to cultural and language differences, but I was selected for media training under the Saudi Ministry of Media to be placed in the Saudi Research & Marketing Group, chaired by the late Prince Ahmed Bin Salman, the third son of King Salman.
My first appointment was at Urdu News in 2000.
During my IQ test, I was appreciated for various cognitive skills, including reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and verbal comprehension. I was informed that my problem-solving and analytical skills were particularly strong.
My response regarding my weakness in Arabic language was praised as a brilliant answer. I mentioned that Saudi Arabia needs to communicate with the world in foreign languages. I can contribute significantly in Urdu and English. If Saudi media lacks Saudi journalists in foreign languages, a time may come when there is no longer a need for oil and the impacts of global climate change worsen. Misunderstandings against Saudi Arabia could become deeply entrenched, making it difficult for us to engage with others. To bridge this gap, Saudi media needs to develop proficiency in foreign languages. So the element that was considered my weakness, I made it my strength.
I said this at a time when oil was in demand and global climate change was merely a notion. Today, it is happening.
I am sharing this information because I received many personal messages related to my experience of obtaining Saudi nationality, and I believe it might be interesting and inspirational to many.
Nothing is impossible.
If you are capable, the laws can become more accommodating for you because you are simply ‘valued.’
Then, I opened the doors for other women in media. At that time, women were not present in Saudi media.
My Master’s degree is in International Relations from Karachi University, and I also pursued postgraduate studies in Investigative Journalism and Mass Communication under the Saudi Research & Marketing Group.
Currently, I hold a PhD in Mass Media.
When I married my Saudi national (first cousin on his mother’s side), I presented only one condition: ‘Will you have any objection if I continue my education in media?’ He agreed, and I trusted him. His mother, my Saudi national aunt, had loved me dearly since my birth.
However, I did not know that media opportunities for women did not exist in Saudi Arabia. I was a 16-year-old innocent daughter of a poor widow in Karachi at the time of my marriage. Back then, social media did not exist, so ‘innocent’ truly meant innocent.
I did not want to capitalize on my husband’s status; I wanted to earn my own identity while being a real support for my home and Saudi society.
This ambition was challenging and took many tolls, but I was determined and strong. I chose the path of hard work to be productive, even though I could have easily opted for a luxurious life like most people do. I fell in love with Saudi Arabia.
But then, even after 14 years working in decision-making positions in mainstream media, when I decided to expand my horizons and enhance my qualifications to bridge the gap between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world through stronger visual media, I wanted to learn filmmaking. I heard rumors that upon my return from Mumbai (Bollywood), I could be jailed because as a Saudi, I should not be a filmmaker. By that time, I was already accustomed to challenges; life had already tested me, making me stronger than before. I obtained my work permit there and became the first Saudi filmmaker in Bollywood.
And then, Vision 2030 arrived, making my life easier… ❤️
It hurts so much as a woman when anyone speaks negatively about our MBS. Come and live my life, dare to achieve.
How can people sometimes be so unreasonable when they talk about MBS? I dug a canal of milk in a desert, and now I am sailing my ship without fear of whirlpools, thanks to King Salman and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.