Madinah Launches Tarhab Program for Women Guides

The Madinah Region Neighborhood Centers Association (Mujtamai) has launched the Tarhab program to qualify Saudi women as cultural and tourism guides in Madinah, with support from Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding Company and in cooperation with the Madinah Research and Studies Center and the Madinah Region Development Authority. The initiative, announced on August 11, 2026, aims to train 30 female guides with historical and cultural knowledge, equipping them to professionally welcome visitors and delegations to the holy city.

Context and Background

The program reflects a growing national emphasis on empowering Saudi women and enhancing the Kingdom’s tourism sector, both central pillars of Saudi Vision 2030. Madinah, home to Islam’s second holiest site, welcomes millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. Providing qualified female guides ensures that visitors receive accurate, culturally sensitive, and enriching experiences that highlight the city’s unique heritage.

The Mujtamai Association, which operates under the umbrella of the Madinah Region Development Authority, has a track record of community development initiatives. By partnering with Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding, a key investor in the region, and the Madinah Research and Studies Center, the program leverages local expertise and resources to achieve its goals.

Key Details

The Tarhab program comprises a comprehensive 120-hour training course divided into four workshops throughout August 2026. This is followed by a practical field phase in September, including five site visits and 30 hands-on guiding experiences at historical locations across Madinah. The curriculum covers historical knowledge, cultural interpretation, and professional communication skills.

Upon completion, participants will be enrolled in a Cultural and Tourism Female Guides Bank, a professional database that will allow event organizers, institutions, and initiatives to access qualified guides for future activities. This sustainable approach ensures that the skills developed are continuously utilized and recognized.

Omar Al-Hazmi, CEO of the Mujtamai Association, stated that the program embodies the association’s mission to empower women and build national capacity, directly supporting Vision 2030 goals to increase women’s participation in the workforce and develop the tourism sector. Engineer Ahmed Al-Juhani, CEO of Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding, emphasized that investing in national talent is essential for enriching the visitor experience and showcasing Madinah’s cultural identity.

Implications and Impact

This initiative is expected to have multiple positive effects. It will enhance the quality of cultural tourism in Madinah by providing knowledgeable, professional female guides who can cater to the growing number of visitors, including families and female travelers. It also creates new employment opportunities for Saudi women, contributing to economic diversification and social development.

Regionally, the program sets a precedent for other cities in the Kingdom, demonstrating how local associations, private sector partners, and government bodies can collaborate to advance tourism and empower women. It aligns with national efforts to improve the pilgrimage experience and promote Saudi Arabia as a destination rich in history and culture.

Internationally, the presence of trained female guides helps present a modern, progressive image of Saudi Arabia, where women play an active role in the economy and society. This supports the Kingdom’s broader public diplomacy and tourism marketing strategies.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Tarhab program is a clear manifestation of Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to empower women, diversify the economy, and enhance the tourism sector. By investing in women’s skills and creating professional pathways, it contributes to increasing female labor force participation and enriching the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims and visitors. As Madinah continues to develop as a premier destination, initiatives like this will be instrumental in showcasing the Kingdom’s heritage and hospitality to the world.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Tarhab program?

A1. The Tarhab program is an initiative by the Madinah Region Neighborhood Centers Association (Mujtamai) to train 30 Saudi women as cultural and tourism guides in Madinah, enhancing visitor experiences and promoting the city’s heritage.

Q2. Who launched the Tarhab program?

A2. The program was launched by the Madinah Region Neighborhood Centers Association (Mujtamai), with support from Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding Company and cooperation from the Madinah Research and Studies Center and the Madinah Region Development Authority.

Q3. When was the Tarhab program announced?

A3. The program was announced on August 11, 2026, corresponding to 28 Safar 1448 AH, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q4. What is the main goal of the Tarhab program?

A4. Its main goal is to prepare and qualify 30 female guides with historical and cultural knowledge and professional skills to professionally interact with visitors, delegations, and tourists, enriching their experience in Madinah.

Q5. How many women will be trained in the program?

A5. The program aims to train 30 female guides who will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to serve as cultural and tourism guides in Madinah.

Q6. What kind of training does the program include?

A6. The training includes 120 specialized training hours spread over four workshops in August, followed by a field application phase in September with five site visits and 30 practical guiding experiences at historical sites.

Q7. What is the Cultural and Tourism Female Guides Bank?

A7. It is a professional database created at the end of the program that allows institutions, events, and initiatives to access and benefit from qualified female guides for future activities.

Q8. Who is Omar Al-Hazmi?

A8. Omar Al-Hazmi is the CEO of the Mujtamai Association. He affirmed that the Tarhab program reflects the association’s mission to empower women and build national capacities, supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

Q9. Who is Engineer Ahmed Al-Juhani?

A9. Engineer Ahmed Al-Juhani is the CEO of Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding Company. He stated that the program stems from the company’s commitment to investing in and empowering national talent.

Q10. How does the program support Saudi Vision 2030?

A10. The program supports Vision 2030 by increasing women’s participation in the workforce, developing the tourism sector, and enriching the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims and visitors.

Q11. Why is Madinah significant for this program?

A11. Madinah is a holy city with rich Islamic history and a major destination for pilgrims and tourists. The program aims to highlight its cultural and civilizational identity professionally.

Q12. What are the four workshops about?

A12. The workshops cover specialized training in historical knowledge, cultural interpretation, and professional guiding skills, totaling 120 hours, to prepare participants for their roles as cultural guides.

Q13. What happens during the field application phase?

A13. In September, participants will engage in five field visits and 30 practical guiding experiences at historical sites in Madinah to apply their training in real-world settings.

Q14. How will the program benefit visitors to Madinah?

A14. Visitors will benefit from knowledgeable female guides who can provide accurate cultural and historical information, enhancing their overall experience and understanding of Madinah’s heritage.

Q15. What role does Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding play?

A15. Ru’aa Al Madinah Holding supports the program financially and strategically, emphasizing its commitment to investing in national talent and empowering women to showcase Madinah’s identity.

Q16. What is the Mujtamai Association?

A16. The Mujtamai Association is the Madinah Region Neighborhood Centers Association, a community development organization that initiates programs to empower women and build national capacities.

Q17. How does the program empower women?

A17. By providing specialized training and practical experience, the program equips women with skills for employment as guides, fostering their participation in the workforce and contributing to economic empowerment.

Q18. Will the program be expanded to other cities?

A18. While no official announcement has been made, the program serves as a model that could be replicated in other regions to promote cultural tourism and women’s empowerment across the Kingdom.

Q19. What is the duration of the entire program?

A19. The program spans two months: four weeks of workshops in August and a field application phase in September, totaling 120 training hours plus practical experiences.

Q20. How does the program reflect Saudi Arabia’s modernization?

A20. It showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to women’s empowerment, tourism development, and cultural preservation, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals for a diversified and progressive economy.

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