Jahdaly drawstring skirt and blouse
The Jahdaly tribe Description of Costume: Jahdaly drawstring skirt and blouse both decorated with metal beads. The edge of the rectangular headers is embroidered with metal beads and has a cotton fringe. Location: Lith, Hijaz, Western Region The Jahdaly tribe inhabits an area of wadis draining down to the coastal plain between the holy city of Makkah and al-Lith on the Red Sea coast. The Tihamah or coastal plain runs almost the entire length of the Red Sea. It is a sweltering region of low-lying sandy plains merging with the foothills of the Hijaz mountains. Wadis drain the Hijaz mountains[...]
Deema al-Sulaiman Kabbani
Deema al-Sulaiman Kabbani has a varied background in international relations, French literature, Islamic studies, and interior decoration. She completed her studies in International Relations and French Literature in the United States and later pursued Islamic Studies at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in the UK. Additionally, she undertook studies in interior decoration in the UK, reflecting her interest in a broad range of fields. Deema spent 15 years as a board member and Executive Director of the National Charity Foundation for Home Health Care in Saudi Arabia. During her time with the foundation, she contributed to its strategic direction and operations.[...]
Richard Wilding
Richard Wilding is a strategic consultant, writer, photographer and film producer, specialising in international cultural relations, community engagement, and the promotion of heritage and tourism. Richard has been working in the Middle East since 2004, producing exhibitions, publications, documentary films and events programmes, and directing heritage revitalisation projects. His clients include the Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and the Ministry of Media and Information, Kurdistan Regional Government. Richard is a Trustee of the Mansoojat Foundation, an NGO formed by a group of Saudi women to preserve the Kingdom’s traditional costumes. Since 2010, he has travelled[...]
Nadia Alireza
Nadia Alireza is a highly motivated and skilled professional with a proven track record of leadership, project management, and cultural preservation. As the Managing Director of the Mansoojat Foundation since 1999, Nadia has spearheaded initiatives aimed at reviving, documenting, and preserving the traditional costumes of Saudi Arabia. Her work has included overseeing academic research to deepen the understanding of the region’s history and culture and raising awareness of this heritage through exhibitions, live presentations, and educational programs. She is also adept at designing and producing traditionally inspired items for sale, organizing fundraising events, and recruiting new members to support the[...]
Mona Khashsoggi
Mona Khashoggi is a theatre and film producer, writer and prominent patron of the Arts. She specialises in reviving cultural stories from the Middle East and bringing them to international audiences. After completing a Masters Degree in Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS, University of London, Mona Khashoggi co-founded the Mansoojat Foundation, a UK registered charity established to revive and preserve the traditional costumes of Saudi Arabia. Mona Khashoggi’s passion has always been to promote the art, culture and music of the Middle East. Mona produced and wrote the play Umm Kulthum; The Golden Era, which premiered with a unique and[...]
Royal Society for Asian Affairs Webinar 2021
A webinar from the Royal Society for Asian Affairs talk with Richard Wilding and Hamida Alireza of The Mansoojat Foundation.
The Jahdaly tribe Description of Costume: Jahdaly drawstring skirt and blouse both decorated with metal beads. The edge of the rectangular headers is embroidered with metal beads and has a[...]
Deema al-Sulaiman Kabbani has a varied background in international relations, French literature, Islamic studies, and interior decoration. She completed her studies in International Relations and French Literature in the United[...]
Richard Wilding is a strategic consultant, writer, photographer and film producer, specialising in international cultural relations, community engagement, and the promotion of heritage and tourism. Richard has been working in[...]
Nadia Alireza is a highly motivated and skilled professional with a proven track record of leadership, project management, and cultural preservation. As the Managing Director of the Mansoojat Foundation since[...]
Mona Khashoggi is a theatre and film producer, writer and prominent patron of the Arts. She specialises in reviving cultural stories from the Middle East and bringing them to international[...]
A webinar from the Royal Society for Asian Affairs talk with Richard Wilding and Hamida Alireza of The Mansoojat Foundation.
