In the early morning light, a scarlet red Mwasalat bus hums steadily through the streets of Muscat. Behind the wheel, wearing a calm smile and confident gaze, sits Huda al Mahrooqi, the first Omani woman to drive a public transport bus in the entire Gulf region. For many commuters, she is a symbol of quiet strength and inspiration. For Huda, it is simply a dream realised through courage and persistence.
“I’ve loved driving and field work since I was young,” she recalls warmly. “My late mother was the first person who inspired me to follow this path.” That inspiration became a lifelong passion, one that led Huda to unexpected places, from volunteering during Cyclone Shaheen, where she drove a small truck to support affected families, to sitting in the driver’s seat of a full-sized city bus.
A short video of her volunteer work circulated widely online, fuelling her determination to push further. “After that, I consulted my mother and my eldest daughter. They were my greatest supporters,” she says. “That encouragement gave me the strength to challenge myself and prove that women can step into non-traditional fields.” With determination in her eyes and support from Mwasalat, Huda obtained her heavy vehicle driver’s licence and joined the national transport company, embarking on a journey that would make history.
But the road to this milestone was not without challenges. “Some people believed this job was only for men,” she admits. “I took it as a personal challenge.” One of her fondest memories came during training at Burj al Sahwa station. “A male colleague was surprised to see me behind the wheel,” she remarks. “But after a few minutes, he said proudly that he wanted to take a photo with me to show his students an example to follow.”
Despite being a certified driving instructor before joining Mwasalat, Huda discovered that handling heavy vehicles required a new kind of skill and patience. “I failed my first test because I was nervous,” she says candidly. “But I passed the second time with confidence and never looked back.” Her first day on the job was filled with both nerves and pride. “At first, I was naturally scared,” she admits. “But as the hours passed, fear turned into happiness. The smiles and encouragement I received from people on the streets gave me positive energy.” Today, after nearly ten months behind the wheel, Huda has found her rhythm and her joy in daily routes that bring her face-to-face with passengers from all walks of life. “Many people smile when they see me driving,” she says. “Their reactions give me hope and energy to continue. Our society is open-minded and supportive of women’s roles in development, and that makes me proud.”
Her story has already inspired countless others, breaking stereotypes not just in Oman but across the Gulf. “The Omani community is understanding and encouraging,” she reflects. “People here appreciate hard work and celebrate women’s achievements.” For young women aspiring to enter unconventional careers, Huda’s message is clear and empowering. “Be strong and believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone stop you from following your dream.”
As for her own ambitions, Huda believes the road ahead is wide open. “Omani women today are engineers, doctors, pilots, and bus drivers. No field is off-limits anymore. I hope every woman works with love and passion because real success begins with that.” With her hands steady on the steering wheel and her heart set on progress, Huda al Mahrooqi continues to drive not just a bus but a movement, one that proves once again that the Omani woman knows nothing is impossible.
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