"It was like a shock to my parents when I requested my father to grant me permission to climb Everest as a gift on my 27th birthday," recalls Raha, who has now become the first Saudi woman to reach atop the world´s highest mountain. "With a heavy heart, he said okay but asked me to promise to come back safe." [break]
And so, says Raha, "Once I get back home and meet my mom, I have to show her all my fingers and toes without wasting a second to confirm to her that I am back safe and sound without any damage to my body.”
Getting her parents´ permission was half the battle. But she won in full Saturday morning when she reached the summit.
It was a dream come true for this Saudi belle but it didn´t come easy.
"I came down with fever while we were at camp two," Raha told Republica at a hotel in Kathmandu. "But with the help of my friends and the Sherpas I recovered very soon."
She confesses that the Sherpas had a big role in her success. "I would never forget the Sherpas throughout my life and especially my guide Aang Norbu, who always inspired me," said Raha, a woman of stunning look in her sky blue jeans, light blue t-shirt and a see-through outer.
"As I come from different climatic conditions, I am not physically strong for coping with the cold," said Raha, who appeared tired but relaxed.
She recalls how she ran around in jubilation on top of the world, her country´s flag in hand, and hugged her teammates.
"I was like crazy and I didn´t even believe I was on top of the world."
She thought of her parents, her brother Mohammad and sister Eman, and her dear friends Mara and Mariya while she was on the summit.
Raha was part of a team that included Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, the first Qatari man to climb Everest, and also a member of the Qatari royal family, Raed Zidan, the first Palestinian atop the mountain, and Masoud Mohammad, an Iranian.
It was not easy for Raha to decide about Everest though. The youngest daughter in the family and a graphic designer by profession, she lived in a conservative society where women still face many restrictions.
But she took the plunge, to prove to the world that Arab women are as capable as other women in the world.
"I think I have been able to change the opinion of the world about Arab women and what they can do," Raha enthused. "I hope this will make some difference in the mindsets of people."
Photos Courtesy: Raha Moharra
Though she has broken all the stereotypes about Arab women, she still has a long way to go to undo the notions prevalent in her society. "My culture doesn´t allow me to permit you to take my photo without a burkha," she said, turning down a request to photograph her.
She loves to eat Italian and climbing is her hobby. She has already climbed five high mountains. "I have now two more mountains to climb before I resume my profession in graphic designing," she said. "I am a little tired now so I want to sleep a lot, catch up with my favorite TV shows and eat a lot to gain some weight."
Raha believes that her dream of climbing two more peaks will also be achieved. She has a philosophy in life -- dream big and live even bigger.
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