For the first time, Saudi women will field distress calls at this year's haj pilgrimage in Mecca, which starts on Wednesday. The conservative kingdom is tentatively opening up more jobs and education to women.
A call centre with a difference:

These Saudi women are preparing to field distress calls from across Mecca during the annual haj Muslim pilgrimage.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF WOMEN SECTION AT NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTRE, HASSA AL-BADI, SAYING:

"This is the first centre for women in the security field. We have a group of girls who speak English fluently and have high credentials."

These women will verify a caller's location and request, then direct the call to first responders.

The incident could be related to fire, crime, illness or a traffic accident.

Dozens of men sit in a separate room doing the same work.

It's a first for the conservative kingdom as it tentatively offers more work and education opportunities to women who would normally stay at home.

It's a big shift - if a small step.

Saudi Arabia adheres to a hardline interpretation of Islamic law and tribal custom.

Women must still obey a strict dress code, have male guardians and are barred from driving.

Saudi authorities have been preparing for months to handle outbreaks of violence, fires, riots or disease, or a stampede like one that killed hundreds of people two years ago.

About two million Muslims are expected to attend the haj in Mecca, starting from Wednesday (August 31)



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