2026/07/15 13:24

In an unprecedented step, Azdihar Allaf has assumed the position of Managing Director of the Pilgrims of Arab Countries Service Providers (Ashraq), becoming the first Saudi woman to hold this leadership position in the pilgrims' services sector, enhancing the development of the Hajj and Umrah system and aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to empower Saudi women. The transitional council consists of (Azdihar Allaf as Managing Director, Dr. Abdullah Naseer, and Mr. Mohammed bin Dhakir Khawj as members of the council).

Mrs. Azdihar Allaf affirmed that the council's priorities in the upcoming phase include applying governance, transparency, and disclosure standards to enhance institutional stability, adopting nomination and election standards from the General Assembly, and preparing all regulatory and administrative requirements to hold elections for a new board of directors in accordance with best practices and regulatory frameworks, ensuring an organized institutional transition that boosts shareholder confidence and sustainability.

Success based on indicators and results

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She also stressed that the criterion for success and decision-making will be based on indicators

Azdihar Allaf, Managing Director of the Pilgrims of Arab Countries Service Providers

And results and figures, according to clear time targets, with continuous evaluation of the achievement level, which ensures raising performance efficiency, enhancing decision quality, and achieving the highest levels of institutional discipline to strengthen Ashraq's position in serving the guests of the Most Gracious, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Guests of the Most Gracious Service Program. Allaf expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, for enabling the transitional council to assume its responsibilities towards the company, its shareholders, and its clients, reflecting the government agencies' keenness to support the stability of economic entities and ensure business continuity during the transitional period, following the resignation of the majority of the previous board members.

The transitional council is based on diverse leadership, administrative, and financial expertise, led by Mrs. Azdihar Allaf, who has over 20 years of professional experience in the banking and economic media sectors, in addition to her specialization in governance, compliance, and transparency, and her chairmanship of the transformation and investment committees in the Pilgrims of Arab Countries Service Providers (Ashraq). It also includes Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulqader Naseer, an expert in business management, sustainable development, project development and financing, and strategic initiatives management and institutional transformation. Also, Mr. Mohammed bin Dhakir Khawj, who has over 30 years of experience in governance, financial management, restructuring, and institutional transformation, and has held several leadership and advisory positions in the public and private sectors.