Sand Issue Two

Editor-in-Chief

Nada Abdul Ghaffar

Graphic Design and Creative Direction

Bayan Abdullateef

Contributing Photographers Reem Alrifaei Sabrina Ferdjani Tasneem Alsultan Kholood AlBakr

Contributing Writers Khadija Alem Rafah Sahab Lama Alem Nada Abdul Ghaffar Nada Hameed

On the cover Mariam Binladen Portrait by Tasneem Alsultan

4 . ‫فنانات ورياضيات‬

ARTISTS AND ATHLETES

7

Raha

Moharrak

31

Raghad Al Ahmad

The youngest Arab to climb Everest

The collage artist who is dissecting our world and creating her own

13

39

Sarah Al Abdali

Mariam Binladen

The multimedia artist celebrating Hijazi heritage

The record breaking endurance swimmer and philanthropist

23

47

Alia Komsany The medical researcher with a passion for rowing

Kholood Al Bakr The photographer who shifts perspectives through her lens

7 . ‫رسالة المحررة‬

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Portrait is taken by Silvia Drazdziulyte

It’s been a while since the first issue of Sand but deep down, I knew that I wanted to have more than just one issue, no matter how long it took for the second one. And sometimes, the things that mean the most to you are the things you hold off doing due to the fear of not living up to the expectations including, if not mainly, your own. However, it’s sometimes important to put aside self-doubt, no matter how heavy it is and remember the “why” behind what you’re doing, especially when the why is highlighting these extraordinary women. It’s not hard finding incredible Saudi women deserving of acknowledgement in all areas, now more than ever. Each woman featured is unique in her own way. Nonetheless, what struck me as a common thread between them is their strength, their dedication, and their pursuit for what they love, even if they are the first.

NADA ABDUL GHAFFAR

‫ّ‬ ‫رها محرق ‪8 .‬‬

ّ 9 . ‫رها محرق‬

Raha Moharrak Success; a phenomenon that we associate with many but that we, nevertheless, have a distorted perception of. Simply put, this skewed vision stems from the fact that we only see the triumphant part of a person’s journey; we don’t bear witness to all the doubts, failures, and hardships that necessarily precede it. Raha Moharrak is a case in point.

Moharrak is now recognized as the first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest successfully. But in her heart, Moharrak is just like many others; a Saudi who had, and still has, goals that weren’t aligned with society’s expectations, nor her family’s at one point, and that caused her to face tons of criticism.

But, at the end of the day, Moharrak just wants to carve a space for herself; thus, she took a chance and pursued her passion for mountain climbing.

Written by Khadija Alem Photography by Reem Alrifaei

ّ 10 . ‫رها محرق‬

In general, it’s easy to be the first in various industries in Saudi; so many areas are relatively unexplored. At the same time, it’s hard to be the first because it requires unlimited courage and perseverance, qualities that Moharrak has in abundance. Being a pioneer isn’t supposed to be easy. However, Moharrak took responsibility for herself and her dreams, and that has enabled her not only to achieve milestones, but to also grow immensely in terms of physical strength and mental and emotional endurance. Only pursuing her life’s calling has allowed her to flourish in the way that she has. Now, Moharrak is an empowering model for the Saudi woman who feels a responsibility to wider society to make sure that, even if she is the “first”, she is not the last. In a way, we all have our own Everest to climb. Today, I speak to Moharrak about her story.

Khadija: It’s fair to say that you are quite the adventurer. Can you tell us about how and when you discovered your love for adventure, and about your family’s first reaction to the idea of mountain-climbing?

Raha: I’ve always been adventurous; I don’t think it was something that was discovered. I mean, if you ask my parents, they will tell you that I’ve always been this way. It’s a personality trait! So, I guess you can say that moving on to mountain-climbing wasn’t a surprise for my family. I think what shocked them was what I wanted to do and not that I wanted to do it, if that makes sense.

K: Did you face any criticism from people once you decided to seriously pursue mountain-climbing?

R: Yes, I received a lot of backlash of course. I was told that what I was doing was crazy, that it’s not something that I can do, and that I can’t make a career out of it. I was told how a girl shouldn’t be doing these things at all, which in my opinion, is sexist and one thought among many silly ones that were shared. In general, there was a lot of negativity; it really wasn’t the best start. At the beginning, even my family didn’t adopt the approach that it was okay or that I can do whatever I want.

K: But you did make a profession out of it, so can you tell us a bit more about switching careers and leaping into the unknown?

R: Well, my past occupation was in graphic design. I didn’t feel guilty about switching from that. I was only afraid that I wouldn’t be able to make a career out of mountain-climbing. But after I’ve pursued it, I got recognition and exposure, so I started getting involved with speaking engagements and exciting stuff afterwards. For example, I’m contracted with a few brands such as TAG Heuer, Chevrolet, and Lipton in the past. I’m really lucky that I’ve had a lot of opportunities.

K: So, how did you prepare for Everest?

R: Well, prepping for these things is quite difficult. First of all, there were the many technical things like obtaining all the necessary gear, visas, approvals, etc., and you have to pay for all of that. And then there was the physical preparation which lasted a year, and part of that were the other eight mountains that I’ve summitted before Everest. Through it all, there were many challenges which you can very well imagine: it’s cold, it’s remote, it’s emotional. You’re far away from your family. It’s not easy at all. And although you go with a team and there’s this amazing bond, not everyone makes it up there. You have to leave behind the people who lag. You can’t be responsible for anyone but yourself when you’re up there, and you can’t rely on someone else to push you forward.

K: In your opinion, how is being immersed in that world, even if temporarily, different from the everyday?

R: Oh, they’re not only different, they’re completely different. In the outdoors, there’s a sense of adventure, a sense of being completely disconnected from everybody. You live in a tent, cook your own food, get your own water. You’re away from all the drama, you’re so far from your comfort zone and so engrossed in what’s around you.

You’re not sidetracked by e-mails, people calling you, or meetings.

Life just slows down. You’re alone with your thoughts, and sometimes it’s scary while other times you discover things about yourself you never knew. It’s really an emotional journey, both liberating and disciplining. You really have to control a lot about yourself like your emotions and what you think about. You have nobody but yourself.

It’s true that you have a team, but when you’re hiking for God knows how many hours a day, you have no one but yourself, and it’s easy to spiral down into negative emotions. We’re only human after all.

Sometimes we’d think, “oh, I can’t do this”, “I’m tired”, or “I’ve had enough.” It can really drive you crazy.

ّ 11 . ‫رها محرق‬

“You’re alone with your thoughts, and sometimes it’s scary while other times you discover things about yourself you never knew.”

‫ّ‬ ‫رها محرق ‪12 .‬‬

ّ 13 . ‫رها محرق‬

K: So, how do you think that climbing several of the highest summits in the world, including Everest, changed you as a person physically, mentally, and emotionally?

R: I think it changed me in so many ways. It changed how I view situations that stress me out and how I view other people. It definitely made me stronger, physically and mentally. It really teaches you how to control your mind, manage your thoughts and your emotions. And as you know, it’s very hard to not let your emotions get the best of you, but it’s one of the things you have to learn over time. Also, a lot of people don’t realize that reaching a summit is only half the job. I always tell people, “Don’t celebrate when you reach the summit, celebrate when you get back home.” Yes, of course you can be happy when you reach the summit, but you feel more accomplished once you make it all the way down, safely.

That’s because when you’re coming down, you’re still in danger, if not more danger than when you’re climbing up.

K: Personally, how important was it for you to be the first Saudi woman to successfully climb Everest?

R: Honestly, I couldn’t care less about being the first. I had no idea I was the first, no idea; it was never on my radar. I found out later when I was already planning to climb. So, it makes me laugh when people tell me that I climbed it in order to be the first Saudi woman to accomplish that because, if they really knew me, they would know that I didn’t do it for that reason at all.

“Don’t let fear stop you from achieving what you want. Let fear be the reason for you to move and not the reason for you to stand still.”

K: Nevertheless, do you feel like you have a responsibility to be an “influencer” because of this title?

R: I don’t really like the word “influencer”. It has become misunderstood and has a negative connotation. But, do I feel a responsibility to be a role model? Yes, I feel a huge responsibility. Massive. And I think that social media is a double-edged sword because you can market yourself and be real or you can be fake. But I think that, as a person who has a platform, I have a duty to put content out there that has substance, rather than the meaningless things that people share nowadays. I don’t want to be one of those people who just has a random account that doesn’t have any strong messages. I think there’s actually a lot of incredible content out there, but people are too lazy to look, unfortunately.

of any of the negative thoughts we discussed earlier. I’m just one of those annoyingly stubborn people. In fact, my stubbornness in my family is legendary. I think that it’s both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s positive because I’m disciplined and it helps me achieve my goals. But it’s really hard to make me do something I don’t want to do. It can be difficult for people around me as well.

To all the young Saudi females and Saudi youth in general, I say this: Don’t let fear stop you from achieving what you want. Let fear be the reason for you to move and not the reason for you to stand still. I just think that a lot of girls are afraid to ask for what they want.

Also, don’t be one of those people that rebel for no reason. Have a purpose, and have something that is worthy.

K: What’s next for you now that you’ve conquered the highest summits in most continents?

R: Oh, don’t say conquered, it’s not the correct word at all. You climb or you summit a mountain, but you never conquer a mountain.

You’re just lucky. What you really conquer is your fear and yourself; mountain climbing gives you a sense of being able to believe in yourself more.

K: So, what role do you feel your parents and family played in making you the person you are today?

R: I think they had an enormous role. Massive, really. It’s true that nobody in my family is as adventurous as I am. But still, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere without them, and I wouldn’t have been able to reach the place I am in today. We all need a support system, always.

K: From what I know, you’re a bit dyslexic, right? So how do you respond to this challenge and to other challenges in general?

R: Oh, I’m severely dyslexic, not just a bit! It’s quite challenging to work on my book because of it. But I’ve just learnt to deal with it on my own; there’s nobody to help me with it. Generally speaking, I like doing things independently, but I do admit that I need to ask for help sometimes. Yet this stubbornness has made me come a long way. I’ve never turned back from a mountain climb because

K: I’m just curious, now that you’ve climbed several of the highest mountains in the world, will climbing other smaller mountains feel as fulfilling?

R: Mountain-climbing will always remain fulfilling, of course. If there’s a beautiful mountain that I like, then I will climb it and feel fulfilled.

I think there’s just Mount Fiji in Japan left that I’d like to climb.

But to answer your question, I’m now working on a book as I mentioned, which is a memoir rather than an autobiography. I just don’t take myself too seriously to write an autobiography! Overall, I hope to inspire my readers, and especially Saudi female readers, to believe that they can do whatever they want to do. I really want to lead by example and be a positive role model.

I have a lot of things in mind that I want to accomplish. Besides getting my book published, I’d love to get a chance to go on more adventures. Some of them are physical mountains and others are emotional. I’m always up for new challenges and I constantly set goals that I aim to achieve. I also want to go to space; it’s actually one of the things that I’m working on. I guess you can say that I’m simply trying to materialize my dreams, just like everybody else.

‫سارة العبدلي ‪14 .‬‬

15 . ‫سارة العبدلي‬

Sarah Al Abdali In Jeddah’s burgeoning art scene, Sarah Al Abdali acts as the caretaker of Hejazi heritage in a way only she can, by creating art pieces that capture the spirit of the region and the many aspects of its diverse culture. Recently, she held her first solo exhibition, The Simorgh Always Rises, in Beit Al Sharbatly in the heart of the historic Al Balad. The exhibition showcased not only Al Abdali’s skill as an artist, but also her ability to communicate personal and universal themes that resonate.

Written by Lama Alem Photography by Reem Alrifaei

‫سارة العبدلي ‪16 .‬‬

‫سارة العبدلي ‪17 .‬‬

18 . ‫سارة العبدلي‬

Refuge: Al Abdali’s journey into art was both a result of a conscious decision to do so and nature taking its course. She received her Master’s from the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London where she started her journey of self-discovery. There, she was able to explore her strengths and weaknesses as both an individual and an artist, in addition to meeting inspiring people from different cultural backgrounds. As a Hejazi woman studying Islamic art in London, the experience “opened [her] eyes to a different perspective on traditional Islamic philosophy and raised much questions about orientalism and identity.” After receiving her degree, she moved back to Jeddah where she faced many drastic changes in her personal life which led her to grabbing her brush and seeking art as refuge. She describes her first paintings then as “very shy attempts that grew to be a language of survival with time.” Slowly yet surely, she immersed herself in her craft and finally decided in 2017 to resign from her full time job as a consultant to the Saudi Commission of Tourism and Turquoise Mountain Trust to pursue art.

Resilience: “I would perceive my work as an ever-aging tree that grows with me wherever I go.” For Al Abdali, being an artist is a lifetime pursue that does not stop, it is as much the process as the end product that moves her to create. Her art went through many ups and downs and still has much change to face. Her work is ever-evolving, from her miniature paintings to her puppet-making, and seeks to “make way for an emerging personal language which seeks to document untold stories about the women and people of Hejaz.” The theme of Hejaz is in fact a constant theme in Sarah’s work; no matter the medium, Hejaz is the compass which directs her and guides her. She elaborates, “Hejaz is the pillar that found my work and my identity as an individual. I have grown up with many questions about identity and belonging, and my work tries to capture this journey.”

“Hejaz is the pillar that found my work and my identity as an individual. I have grown up with many questions about identity and belonging, and my work tries to capture this journey.”

Even more specifically, Hejazi women are the stars of her latest artworks. It is the strong and resilient Hejazi women who inspired her, and the West’s orientalist gaze that pushed her to create these pieces. She elaborates on her experience and how she would “get offended when the first questions I get whenever I’m exhibiting in the West are about how oppressive my culture is. I’d like to highlight a few historical figures and narratives that prove the contrary. And by doing that, defying the very common white savior narrative that has been deeply infiltrating the art and cultural scene. This does not polish in any way many unbearable conditions a modern Saudi woman goes through though.”

Left: Layla falls asleep (2019)

‫سارة العبدلي ‪19 .‬‬

20 . ‫سارة العبدلي‬

Left: Ulfat (2018) Right: Women and the Bougainvillea (2018)

‫سارة العبدلي ‪21 .‬‬

22 . ‫سارة العبدلي‬

Al Tabariyat (2018)

23 . ‫سارة العبدلي‬

Relief:

“I don’t know how it feels like bringing a human being to life, but I imagine it being very similar to the delivery of The Simorgh Always Rises.”

The presence of anxieties and fears is inevitable in any pursuit, and Al Abdali’s is no different. There’s a “constant journey with anxiety that gets severe every now and then,” and which sometimes hinders even her daily activities, but she affirms that her only fear is not painting and not being able to practice her art. Luckily, the practice of art is in itself therapeutic, and the meticulous work done on each piece gives each one “its own soul” and demands a lot of presence and attention to details. It is that dedication to the craft that visitors of The Simorgh Always Rises were able to witness firsthand.

When asked about her first solo exhibition, Al Abdali describes, “I don’t know how it feels like bringing a human being to life, but I imagine it being very similar to the delivery of The Simorgh Always Rises. There has been much joy, sweat, and anxiety. The moment all the works were up, I realized this has been what I have been working on the past three years and keeping to myself. It’s a very vulnerable place to be where you feel quite exposed and naked, but quite rewarding in the sense that the works no longer belong to me but to the spaces they are shown at and the audience they are given to.”

As for her proudest moment? Meeting people who related to her pieces at the exhibition, like some who expressed how the Trilogy of Refuge represented their own journeys, and the reception of Tabariyat and the conversation it sparked on the female scholars in historic Hejaz. Those two examples perfectly encapsulate Al Abdali’s success in telling stories that strike a chord that is both universal in theme and personal in nature.

‫عليا قمصاني ‪24 .‬‬

25 . ‫عليا قمصاني‬

Alia Komsany Alia Komsany, daughter to a Saudi Father and a South African mother, has lived in the United Kingdom from the day she was born up until high school. Her mother’s goal to get her children acquainted with Saudi society and culture led to Komsany spending her high school years in a public school in Jeddah. It wasn’t long until Komsany returned to the United Kingdom where she acquired her Ph.D. from Oxford University in Medical Sciences with a specialty in Tumor Vasculature, after completing her Bachelor’s in biomedical sciences at University College London and her Masters in Cancer Biology at UCL’s Cancer Institute. It was at Oxford that Komsany discovered another passion that, not only was an escape from the complexity of her medical field, but acted as the fuel that ignited her energy.

Written by Rafah Sahab Photography by Sabrina Ferdjani

‫عليا قمصاني ‪26 .‬‬

27 . ‫عليا قمصاني‬

Rafah: What made you go into this field?

Alia: Being an inquisitive person by nature, I have long been interested in solving relevant biological questions in a clinical context and contributing to the current understanding of the principles of disease and pathogenesis. This, in addition to the impact translational research has on patient care and subsequent outcomes, is one of the main motivators behind choosing to pursue a career in medical research.

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I developed a specific interest in molecular and cellular biology. My interest in how this applied to cancer biology was subsequently inspired by observing the impact cancer had on close family members. Having myself been investigated for a potential cancer, not only consolidated this curiosity, but made it more personal. Given that an estimated one in six will be faced with a cancer diagnosis, the impact of cancer research cannot be underestimated, especially as cancer mortality across many cancers is falling due to advances in research. This is what inspires me to continue working in and contributing to the field.

R: What is the most challenging part of it?

A: Anyone that works in scientific research will know that scientific advances involve many failures. A single discovery can take decades.

I often find myself working on an experiment for weeks thinking I have found the solution to a problem, only for new questions to emerge, questions that in turn can take years to answer.

I find one of the most challenging aspects of medical research is trying to remain motivated despite the number of failures I encounter.

The vastness and complexity of the field can often be overwhelming, a reminder of how small the piece of the puzzle I’m working on is, when compared to the bigger picture.

R: What do you love most about it?

A: Cancer is a complex and ever-changing set of diseases, it can be indiscriminate and random with the ability to adapt in order to survive, making it intellectually fascinating and rewarding as a specialty.

R: How did you first get into rowing?

A: I don’t remember the exact moment I discovered rowing. I guess it was the culmination of a number of factors that encouraged me to explore rowing as a sport and ultimately give it a chance. Being at Oxford made rowing more accessible. Rowing is a very traditional sport at Oxford; it plays a big part of the university culture. It is also one of the few sports that is considered to be non- weight bearing i.e. you don’t stress your joints and there is minimal risk of injury, considering you do it correctly of course. Having started rowing in 2014, it’s become an integral part of my daily routine.

R: Do you consider rowing an escape from the medical field or does your medical career impact your rowing career and vise versa?

A: I consider rowing to be an escape for a limited time of the day, enabling me to face life as a scientist and student for the rest of the day. Rowing mirrors life in many ways. Much like life, you are most

“Rowing mirrors life in many ways. Much like life, you are most likely going to reach a point when you are exhausted, and feel as though you want to give up, but you find yourself pushing through the pain, the challenges and persevering regardless.”

28 . ‫عليا قمصاني‬

likely going to reach a point when you are exhausted, and feel as though you want to give up, but you find yourself pushing through the pain, the challenges and persevering regardless.

It’s a mental sport as much as it’s a physical one. It’s all about overcoming your mental barriers that prevent you from progressing. In a way, it’s about training your brain to fight self-doubt as well as any other limitations you may place upon yourself. This constant brain training that rowing provides me with helps tremendously in the lab, especially when I reach a stumbling point in my research.

Working in the medical field is all about finding answers to problems that don’t necessarily have solutions which requires a great deal of cognitive flexibility.

Rowing really helps me with strengthening my mental capacity in order to overcome challenges. It reminds of the importance of remaining positive, patient and it builds a sense of resilience within me. Paradoxically, it is also relaxing and calming. It is repetitive in nature, which, when done daily, becomes almost like a meditation.

This introspective state helps to inspire me and to approach my lab work with a set of fresh eyes and a renewed perspective.

Rowing has become an integral part of my life. I can’t imagine my life without it. I use it to manage my stress, to motivate myself to follow a healthier lifestyle, to sharpen my focus and to boost my productivity. It has become an addiction as much as it is a transforming tool.

R: What are the challenges that face you as a woman and a Muslim rower?

A: From the start, it was pretty obvious that I was part of a minority, and even though my rowing team mates were as supportive as they could be, it was often hard for them to fully understand the challenges I faced. It was difficult to find clothes that were functional, comfortable and modest at the same time. However, this challenge eventually became my purpose. I continue pursuing rowing even when it feels most difficult because I want to encourage more women, especially women who wear hijab to exercise more and to take care of their bodies and health. It was important for me to send an encouraging message for Hijabi women studying at Oxford, a place where you don’t see many Muslim female students that actively take part in college sports while wearing the hijab.

R: Who inspires you the most?

A: I guess my mom has influenced me a lot. She is an entrepreneur, a self-made business woman, an avid horseback rider, water skier and pilates and yoga instructor. Ever since I was a child, and in the absence of my father who passed away when I was very young, she has encouraged both myself and my brother to be active and to aim high in life.

R: What is the impact that you would like to be known for?

A: When I think of my impact, I don’t think of gaining a massive number of followers on Instagram. Being a social media influencer is not my definition of impact and, honestly, I am happy with remaining relatively low key.

However, my main inspiration is to encourage more women to go out there and find a sport they enjoy. As I mentioned, helping women become more active and healthier has become my purpose and my passion. I set up my Instagram account for this simple and clear reason; I wanted to share my rowing journey to inspire other

‫عليا قمصاني ‪29 .‬‬

30 . ‫عليا قمصاني‬

“I continue pursuing rowing even when it feels most difficult because I want to encourage more women, especially women who wear hijab to exercise more and to take care of their bodies and health.”

women to start a journey of health and wellbeing of their own. In the future, I would like to be more involved in outreach projects where I can share my experiences and offer advice to women looking to get into sport and fitness. I deeply believe that women need to be liberated from their fears, and from the societal pressure which can make it challenging for them to remain active, and to dedicate time towards improving their health.

Also, I would like to be part of the upcoming and exciting changes that are happening in the country. I’ve heard and seen impressive advancements in the female fitness scene on my last visit to Jeddah.

Additionally, I was approached by the newly established Saudi Rowing Federation and I’m currently representing Saudi Arabia, on a national level, as the first Saudi female lightweight rower.

R: What is a piece of advice that you would like to give to the younger generation?

A: I think a lot of us are held back by our fear. A motto that I have found myself living by is to feel the fear and do it any way. Also, it is important to learn to be comfortable in your own skin and not to be too caught-up in what people think of you.

R: How do you balance your time between rowing and being a doctor?

A: They go both hand in hand. There is a science to the sport and as mentioned previously all the skills you gain from the sport are transferrable into daily life and the lab. The only challenge is to find the time to do both. But ultimately, they complement each other.

R: What plans do you have for the future?

A: While pursuing my PhD, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to write extensively on the topic of women in sport for a number of publications including Women’s Health Middle East and for the This Girl Can campaign developed by Sports England to widen participation in sport. I really do enjoy sharing my experiences and views on the changing face of Arab women in sport and hope to continue contributing in this way.

Competing at a number of rowing events and successfully winning a gold medal (women’s quad) and silver medal (women’s double) at the 2018-2019 UAE rowing championships, a first as a Saudi female rower, has also motivated me to continue rowing competitively alongside pursuing a career in academia.

Since completing my PhD at Oxford, I have relocated to New York and have recently co-authored a chapter as part of an upcoming medical book, while training as a Saudi lightweight rower at New York Athletic Club, opportunities that I am immensely grateful for.

Shifting from crew-based rowing to single sculling (LW1x) has been challenging, however I am working hard to constantly improve and compete at regional and international rowing events (as a lightweight single sculler) such as the Asian rowing Championships, where I previously achieved my personal best time on the water.

I intend to keep setting new heights for myself academically and as an athlete. I believe you don’t know how far you can go until you push yourself.

31 . ‫عليا قمصاني‬

“I think a lot of us are held back by our fear. A motto that I have found myself living by is to feel the fear and do it any way.”

‫رغد األحمد ‪32 .‬‬

33 . ‫رغد األحمد‬

Raghad Al Ahmad An interior designer and freelance artist, Raghad Al Ahmad was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After getting her Bachelors degree from King Abdulaziz University in Interior design with a focus on the contemporary Memphis design and the Bauhaus movement, Al Ahmad learned the art of abstract storytelling. In the digital world of social media, Al Ahmad has established herself as a respected digital and manual collage artist whose surreal work draws you in.

Written by Nada Abdul Ghaffar Photography by Reem AlRifaei

‫رغد األحمد ‪34 .‬‬

‫رغد األحمد ‪35 .‬‬

36 . ‫رغد األحمد‬

Nada: Tell me about yourself, did you always know you wanted to be an artist?

Raghad: It was my dream to be an artist since I was a child, but I couldn’t imagine working as a part time artist and as a designer and feel equally passionately about both.

N: What are your biggest influences?

R: People, design, art schools, movement, and life itself. It depends on the time, the situation and people. Usually, I’m inspired by the stories I encounter everyday.

N: You have developed your own style when it comes to collages, what draws you to that medium and have you ever felt like it was a misunderstood medium?

R: Collages are full of surprise elements. It’s like the ending to a story that’s unpredictable. It resembles the joy of putting together a puzzle, the mixing and matching of pieces until you’re satisfied. In a way, it acts as a process of healing after hardship. I don’t care if it’s misunderstood. If it is, then the viewer is not used to absorbing art.

N: Are there other mediums you wish to explore with your work?

R: I’m always keen to broaden my horizons and explore different materials and mediums.

N: The eye seems to be a predominant theme throughout your work, can you explain more about what the eye represents in your art?

R: I didn’t notice that myself. Every single one of the elements I choose has various meanings depending on the artwork itself. It could refer to vision, dreams, opportunity, perspective or maybe the evil eye.

N: Women are also constantly reoccurring in your artwork in different forms, how do you want to portray them?

R: Who doesn’t love women? They are also a reoccurring subject because I can relate as a woman myself.

N: What characteristic do you admire in other creative women?

R: I admire all women who are friendly, supportive and who thrive to be better.

N: What tool or object can you not live without when you are working on your art/pieces?

R: Laptop, scanner, Photoshop, books, papers, and the internet.

N: What advice would you like to give other aspiring artist in the kingdom?

R: Keep developing, keep researching, keep experimenting and practice self-love.

N: If you had a chance to collaborate with another creative, who would that be and why?

R: I would love to collaborate with a major art institute or a museum on an exhibition locally or internationally.

N: I know you’ve recently had an exhibition with Hafiz gallery, can you tell me a little more about it?

R: “Gate of maturity” is the title of my last mini solo exhibition. Each and every artwork represents a different story that I experienced in my life. I sought out to share those experiences by molding them into objects that can reach the audience to trigger thoughts and feelings similar to what I went through in particular events.

N: How long does it take you to prepare for an exhibit?

R: It depends, there is a different process and preparation period depending on the gallery and exhibition.

N: If there was one thing you would like people to know about your art, what would it be?

R: It takes efforts to make it.

N: If someone didn’t know you personally, would they be able to get to know you though your artwork?

R: No, definitely not. Maybe the viewer will encounter one of my characters in the artwork but I have many sides and perspectives that are not all aligned and can be contradictory, but they’re all still a part of me. I believe the same applies to other artists.

N: What’s one of the most indispensable pieces you have created and what does it mean to you?

R: Since I have a bad memory, unfortunately I forget part of the story from each artwork, the emotional journey I was going through at that time and the overall significance behind it. The truth is, I try to forget the pain if there’s any and move on.

N: You are gaining quite the following through your artwork on Instagram. Has social media given you a lot of opportunities as an artist?

R: Of course, Instagram is a window allowing individuals from the art community to find various opportunities. It also gives you the ability to express yourself and share your artwork freely and creatively.

N: What were some challenges you faced as an artist and how did you overcome them?

R: Each work of art has different challenges whether its time, budget or unexpected accidents. To overcome those challenges, I need to think smart and fast.

N: What is your personal or professional motto?

R: There are a lot but this is one that I like:

َ ُ‫ح� ي‬ ُ ‫ “ال‬:‫قال‬ َ ‫رسول هللا صىل هللا عليه وسلم‬ َ ‫أربع َعن ُع ُم ِره‬ ‫يوم‬ َ ‫عبد‬ َّ ‫القيامة ت‬ ِ ٍ ‫تزول ق َ​َد َما‬ ٍ ‫سأل عن‬ َ .“ ‫فيه وعن ما ِل ِه ِم ْن أيْ َن ا ْك َت َس َب ُه وفيما أنفق َُه‬ ِ ‫جسد ِه فيما أبال ُه وعن ِع ِلم ِه ماذا َع ِم َل‬ ِ ‫فيما أفنا ُه وعن‬

‫رغد األحمد ‪37 .‬‬

‫رغد األحمد ‪38 .‬‬

‫رغد األحمد ‪39 .‬‬

‫مريم بن الدن ‪40 .‬‬

41 . ‫مريم بن الدن‬

Mariam Binladen An ambitious childhood dream that turned her into a real world champion, Mariam Binladen is the outstanding Saudi athlete behind the historic English Channel swim who has achieved another three swims, including the Thames River in London.

Binladen redefines how sports is viewed not only in Saudi Arabia but also globally for females. Despite the fact that she’s also a dentist, she’s still able to pursue a career as an athlete and find time for humanitarian causes close to her heart.

I couldn’t help but appreciate her humility, optimism and infectious laugh, especially while talking about the toughest moments she endured. During the interview, she kept saying, “I haven’t revealed this story to anyone before,” which filled me with gratitude. In an exclusive interview with Binladen in her own home, the winner of the Saudi Top Achievers Award reveals facts about herself along with exciting tales about each swim, and how she one day hopes to break a record in her own hometown of Saudi Arabia.

Written by Nada Hameed Photography by Tasneem Alsultan

42 . ‫مريم بن الدن‬

Nada: Were you always passionate about swimming? At what age did you develop the love for it?

Mariam: I was actually a very athletic young girl, I played tennis and was very active. I had my eye on the English Channel since I was eleven years old. Actually, it’s my mother who initially planted the idea in my head.

One day, my mother asked, “Mariam, why don’t you swim the English Channel?” I replied saying that it’s too difficult. My mother said, “nothing is difficult when you train hard enough.” The idea stuck ever since.

I took swimming lessons in America and I acquired my first lifeguard license when I was ten years old. Sport played a major role in my everyday life. I graduated in dentistry and I obtained my master’s degree in implantology. However, I had this growing, overwhelming feeling that there was something more that I wanted to achieve.

At the age of 28, I made the conscious decision to take swimming more seriously.

N: How did it feel completing the Hellespont Open Water Competition in Turkey and simultaneously breaking a record while doing that? What was going through your mind in the last moments?

M: When I first started training for the Hellespont, my coach advised me to take it step by step. It’s a relatively new swim between Asia and Europe. It was my first time ever swimming in open water currents and tides that were extremely strong. Underwater current is very fast, comes in different directions, and requires mental vigour.

It wasn’t the longest, but it was one of the most difficult ones. Each swim has its own challenges, depending on the sea and climate. I felt like I was collapsing. After I saw the fluttering flags which is equivalent to the finish line, I could not believe my eyes. I felt a rush of adrenaline and happiness that I ended up walking over a sea urchin, causing a deep injury.

N: In 2016, you impressively became the first female ever to swim the entire length of the River Thames in London. Can you tell us more about that experience and how you prepared for it?

M: I started to look for trainers who could train me to swim the English Channel. Swimming in the English Channel wasn’t an easy decision at all as I needed to complete many steps to prepare myself.

It’s impossible for any regular person to swim the channel directly without the necessary precautions. I spent two years trying to find a trainer. Coaches were telling me that, as someone who lives in a warm climate country, I had to change a lot of my body attributes because the water temperature is low. They asked me to gain an extra 20 kilograms to be able to handle this temperature to avoid hypothermia. It was torture. I used to wear double swimming caps just to protect my head from the cold. Sometimes, when the water temperature is so low, it can affect your brain and you can suffer from short-term hallucinations.

In addition to changing my training diet with my coach, we had to do a lot of back to back long swims, and I had to see a sports counsellor to help go through all my fears, and learn how to manage the pain because I was about to push myself to a place I’ve never been before physically, emotionally and mentally.

One of the helpful things that I learned through my experiences is the ability to change negative pain into positive pain. I learned to treat the pain as a friend that is just passing by to say hello and

“One of the helpful things that I learned through my experiences is the ability to change negative pain into positive pain.”

‫مريم بن الدن ‪43 .‬‬

44 . ‫مريم بن الدن‬

“It’s agony when you are in the thick of it but when you finish, it’s a happily ever after.” acknowledging that it is going to eventually leave. I had to be mentally prepared, I had to visualise the ending and see myself walking out of the water holding my flag, beating a new world record. I kept on visualising this for months and I focused on it regardless of how I got there.

Many ask me why I decided to swim the Thames River. After I swam the Hellespont, I was on the plane on my way back to London, I saw the Thames River shining beautifully. I asked my coach why she never swam there, I asked how many people have crossed it and why no female has achieved it before. She said that it’s so long and filthy. It’s actually dangerous to swim in a river. She then told me that because I have been asking several questions about the Thames River, she predicted that I would be the one who is going to do it.

As soon as I reached London, she immediately had me intensify my training and change my diet programme. They also had to take

samples of the water as the contamination level of bacteria in the river is too high. I had to see a doctor, a sports counsellor and was put on course of antibiotics and a lot of vaccination to protect myself.

If you ask me about my four swims, I think the biggest swim is the Thames. I swam for about 162.5 kilometres. That’s the equivalent of driving from Jeddah to Taif. I was swimming for six hours per day for ten days.

The fourth day was one of the worst days in my life. The bounce of the water is different than the sea and it requires more effort. I was crying with every stroke. I couldn’t remove my goggles as I was swimming nonstop even though my tears were making my vision blurry. It’s agony when you’re in the thick of it but when you finish, it’s a happily ever after. While I was crossing the river, people were standing on the banks of the river wearing coats and gloves, staring, cheering and clapping. They were astonished to see me make it.

‫مريم بن الدن ‪45 .‬‬

‫مريم بن الدن ‪46 .‬‬

47 . ‫مريم بن الدن‬

“I swam for seven days because I was swimming against the wind.

Some people thought I wouldn’t make it.”

N: Did you feel encouraged to challenge yourself again as soon as you complete one challenge?

M: You can’t buy the feeling of achievement and nobody can give it to you except yourself. If they think your dreams are crazy, show them what crazy dreams can do. If you want to achieve something big, you have to do something unusual.

Hashemite Charity Organization. With their help, I was capable of opening the first dental clinic in Al Azraq refugee camp in Jordan.

It included 55,000 refugees, 60 percent of them were women and children who were in need of professional help. I visited the clinic from time to time and it was always fully booked and had a six month waiting list.

N: Can you tell us about the experience of crossing the Dubai Creek and the Dubai Water Canal in 2017?

M: When they opened the canal. I saw the news on TV and thought, why not go there? I asked if I could swim this new canal and they said yes, and they were not sure if anyone else will do the same after me. For me, that was more of a reason to go through with it, to be the one who will hold the record. They facilitated everything for me.

Swimming in Dubai was amazing, but the weather was extremely hot, and my body was already accustomed to low temperature. My coach was in close proximity on her jet ski and she would hand me ice cubes to stay cold.

Honestly, after visiting the refugee camps, it hit me hard. I was emotionally affected. I tried to offer as much help as I could. Seeing the happiness in the children’s eyes was absolutely priceless for me.

My hope is that one day this catastrophe comes to an end and they can return back home.

I had to start at four am in the morning, it was complete darkness and I swam for over nine hours. Every one was waiting. Part of my mental training was to swim in the dark. I swam for two hours in complete darkness.

N: How did it occur to you to combine your love for swimming with your ambition to help with humanitarian causes?

M: Actually, one of the reasons why I wanted to become a dentist is that I really love the idea of helping others. It truly makes me feel fulfilled and satisfied. So after breaking swimming records, I was in the midst of the catastrophe, and I thought, what can I do to serve all of these Syrian refugees?

As a dentist, I started to look for a refugee camp that lacks dentistry aid or clinics. After thorough research, I found Al Azraq camp. I involved the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, they played a major role, so did many other organizations such as the International Medical Corporate based in New York, and the Jordan

N: Did you ever doubt yourself and your capabilities?

M: I cried a lot and I thought that I was not going to be able to make it. However, the trick is, when you surround yourself with the right people, they are the ones who know your strength and capabilities more than you do. They will push you until you reach your full potential. My family was so proud. I wouldn’t be able to achieve anything in my life or career without their support.

N: You are a wonderful role model to young females, especially in the region. Is that something you think of?

M: Honestly, I strive to become a better person, with more achievements under my belt, and I would love to be one of the top ten philanthropists in the world. I believe everyone should help others and give back to their communities. I believe the next generations can do even more. It’s important to stay positive and do what you love.

N: A question that may seem simple but it’s actually quite big, what do you have planned for the future?

M: I can’t predict the future but what I can say is that I’m working on different challenges including swimming. The documentary about my swimming achievements was recently released. It’s created by Swiss TV and it is titled I Am Mariam Binladen. It illustrates the experiences I went through candidly. I’m hoping to swim in Saudi Arabia one day.

48 . ‫خلود البكر‬

KHOLOOD AL BAKR Kholood Al Bakr is a visual artist, photographer and a business woman based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She acquired an interest in street and travel photography as a result of her experience in

humanitarian work. Al Bakr focuses on candid street portraits as a source of personal inspiration, bridging a passion for human rights with her love for street photography.

‫خلود البكر ‪49 .‬‬

‫خلود البكر ‪50 .‬‬

‫خلود البكر ‪51 .‬‬

‫خلود البكر ‪52 .‬‬

‫خلود البكر ‪53 .‬‬

‫خلود البكر ‪54 .‬‬

‫ّ‬ ‫رها محرق‬ ‫سارة العبدلي‬ ‫عليا قمصاني‬ ‫رغد األحمد‬ ‫مريم بن الدن‬ ‫خلود البكر‬