Saudi woman goes viral after volunteering at temple in New York 

Social media users applauded her.

A Saudi woman, who studies and works in the US, decided to give herself a break from the rut and indulge to emotionally calm the mind through meditation. Seham al-Duhaim joined a Buddhist temple in New York dedicated for meditation where volunteers can take the classes for free.   
It's been a month al-Duhaim has been engaged in meditation at the temple and has shared several of her enriching experiences on Twitter. Her stories are grabbing the attention of several social media users who are not only surprised by a Saudi woman volunteering at a Buddist temple but are also impressed by her decision to embark on a unique experience.
Over 32,000 people on Twitter have expressed appreciation over her experiences which have received 7,200 retweets and more than 1,500 direct messages. 
"We were all volunteers and tourists from all the world religions, Muslims, Christians, Jews, no one was there to say who's religion is right or wrong, neither the Buddhists have tried to preach their religion to us. There weren't any religious classes, it was all focused on meditation and finding inner peace," al-Duhaim was quoted in Al Arabiya. 
Her Twitter account is filled with pictures and posts narrating her experience to her followers. She wrote on Twitter that the temple was fully built by volunteers and most of the monks serving where women aged 40 and above. Every month, the monks would share a schedule of their meditation classes on their website for those interested in applying, al-Duhaim explained.  
Given her bedouin background, al-Duhaim managed to surprise other volunteers at the temple who wondered how her parents allowed her to travel in the first place. "Yes I am a bedouin and my father still owns goats, but yet has allowed to me to join a scholarship program and I later started working in the States. I went on this trip to give myself a vacation after being pressured with my studies and work," al-Duhaim said. 
She said one day an American Jewish volunteer came up to her after dinner to introduce himself. "They told me there's a Saudi girl at the dorm," she quoted him as saying. "I felt like I had become a landmark in this place!" she tweeted laughingly. 
Revealing that food was only challenging she faced whilst on her meditation trip as there were no grocery stores in the vicinity and al-Duhaim did not carry any snacks with her. "I had faith I would accept this trip, with all its outcomes and details, as well as learn new things, and challenge all my traditional things. I managed to adapt to what was available, but as soon as I departed the place, I headed for a meal of 'Kabsa'," she said.
But to maintain the tranquility at the temple, there are certain rules the volunteers need to follow like smoking or bringing musical instruments along is prohibited. However, music lovers who wish to carry their own music instruments should do so away from the temple, she noted.

• Saudi Arabia