Opportunities for women continue to take priority for Abdul Latif Jameel, most notably in the firm's recent event, Rally Jameel. The first off-road navigation rally in Saudi Arabia, Rally Jameel, was not only held to provide access for female drivers to demonstrate their vast talents but also to draw attention to Women's History Month. The 2023 event, now in its second year, featured over 82 participants from 25 different countries who came together to celebrate their diversity and empowerment over the five-day rally. The 2023 event also saw record-breaking numbers in registration, receiving more than double the entries compared to the previous year.

Fittingly, the event's first desert stage began on International Women's Day, putting additional focus on the increasing progress for women's access. The drivers passed through several historical attractions throughout the off-road driving course, with navigation and planning skills taking priority over speed. Teams consisted of drivers and co-drivers who needed to demonstrate their mastery of off-road driving with unmodified 4x4 vehicles. Participants included both new entrants and returning champions from 2022, adding to the atmosphere of community and competition. The 2023 route was also extended to 1,600 km to encompass more of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's amazing vistas and landmarks.

Rally Jameel offers rally drivers from around the world a unique opportunity to traverse a landscape that proves challenging even for the most experienced navigators. The event also raised corporate awareness and support for female-focused racing, with several private companies getting involved in the event through sponsorships and logistics. Most importantly, the event put the spotlight on the growing access for women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate on an international level. Commenting on the event, Munir Khoja, Managing Director of Marketing Communications, explained, "More importantly, it is an inspiring testament to our efforts aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia's vision to empower women."

With this mentality, there were winners throughout the race, even for those who did not make it to the podium. The first-place finish was awarded to Ewelina Chlebowska of Poland and Hanna Riehle of Germany, representing Team Sandstorm Express in a Toyota FJ Cruiser. Highlighting the event's importance in 2022, Maha Al-Hamali, then-third place winner, shared, "This rally is a testament that women have the courage and drive to take on new and challenging experiences—especially Saudi women who recently started driving and now have a strong presence in Rally Jameel."

The tour came to its climactic conclusion in Qassim via Hail after a route with numerous checkpoints designed to ensure driver safety. Participants were also welcomed to immerse themselves in the culture and atmosphere unique to the Kingdom, with the race starting at Elephant Rock in AlUla and traversing through various desert terrains, even encountering the Hail UNESCO World Heritage site. The desert tour also featured a drive-by of Nagash Almalikah, the region's only rock carving of the female form. Celebrations after the event included participants as well as organizing team members who were selected to represent the community through Bab Rizq Jameel, an arm of Abdul Latif Jameel designed to provide access for entrepreneurs and jobs for people in need.

Rally Jameel was founded, in part, as a response to King Salman Al Saud's statement recognizing women's rights to drive cars in 2017. With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to provide empowerment to women in the community, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors set forth to create a rally that could inspire and welcome women from all walks of life to participate. Hassan Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of ALJ domestic operations and himself a rally driver and competitor, first presented the idea for the event as a way for ALJ to contribute to women's causes. The event is also sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and supported by the FIA through Women in Motorsport (WIMC). Aseel Al-Hamad stated, "This initiative is of great interest to a large segment of women in the Kingdom, as it aims to support and empower women in motorsports. Rally Jameel is an excellent first step for girls who want to enter the world of motorsports, particularly navigational rallies where speed is not the determining factor but one's navigational skills are."

There is synergy in Rally Jameel's focus on women's motorsports and the parent company Abdul Latif Jameel's long legacy in automotive endeavors. The company was founded over 75 years ago as a trading business and car dealer with a deep partnership with Toyota. Over the years, the company has grown into an international infrastructure with a focus on domestic growth. Today, the founder's family, including grandsons Fady Jameel and Hassan Jameel, sit at the helm overseeing international and domestic operations, respectively. ALJ's endeavors have expanded to other sectors as well, with business lines overseeing everything from health to financial services and manufacturing.

With Rally Jameel cementing itself as a favorite among participants, it is no surprise that ALJ has backed the event with robust resources, management, and provisions. Throughout the rally, participants are monitored through state-of-the-art tracking systems and helicopter medics ready to enter the field as needed. Drivers and co-drivers are expected to have desert driving skills and understand GPS operation, as well as being able to operate a compass and conduct route planning. However, training programs are also offered to make the event more inclusive.

Inclusivity and philanthropy remain tenets of ALJ, the Jameel family, and the conglomerate's broader leadership. Following in the legacy of founder and namesake Abdul Latif Jameel, the company continues to look for ways to empower people through access to infrastructure and opportunities with the right resources. Rally Jameel is just one of many philanthropically inspired events reflecting ALJ's commitment to creating value and opportunity within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and internationally.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.