Rich Tributes Paid to UAE Women's March of Progress at Sharjah Ramadan Majlis; Emirati Women Seen as Role Model for Region

Minister Noura Al Kaabi, others credit political leadership, especially Sheikh Zayed, for women’s empowerment and impressive strides in all walks of life        

Sharjah/Sharjah Media Centre, June 13, 2016 - Rich tributes were paid to the vital role the UAE women have played in the nation’s confident march of progress as the fifth Sharjah Ramadan Majlis opened on a grand note last night (Sunday) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah. Emirati women have historically played a crucial role in all walks of life of the nation and are a role model for the rest of the Arab world as they complement men while remaining fiercely loyal to their identity, faith and Arab and Islamic values, thanks to the invaluable support provided by the country’s leadership, especially the UAE’s founder the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, argued the high-profile panel of speakers.  

The brilliant examples of Sheikha Salama Bint Buti, the mother of Sheikh Zayed, and Sheikha Hessa bint Al Murr, the grandmother of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, who provided leadership to their communities and even solved their day-to-day problems, were cited in this respect.    

Speaking on the occasion, HE Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, paid rich tributes to the late Sheikh Zayed, saying it was his vision and leadership that provided the blueprint for women’s empowerment in the country by making it a key part of the young country’s constitution.

The first president formed Women’s Union in the UAE, helping women attain their full potential in all spheres through various institutions and organisations that the Union helped create. She also lauded the patronage and support provided by the Mother of the Nation Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak on this front, saying women understand women better. “There would be no women’s empowerment without the critical support provided by the political leadership,” the minister emphasised. “Today statistics are not needed to understand the progress of women in the UAE. Reality speaks for itself,” she added.     

Dedicated to the empowerment of women and role they have played since the formation of the Union, the first session of Ramadan Majlis hosted by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) saw the presence of senior UAE and Sharjah government figures, scholars, media and dignitaries, including Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, HE Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, HE Khawla Al Mulla, Chairperson of Sharjah Consultative Council, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, Dr Mona Al Bahar, Acting CEO of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and Aisha Sultan (moderator) founder and director of Dar Waraq Publishing House, Dubai. 

For her part, HE Khawla Al Mulla, Chairperson of Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), argued that empowerment of women did not come out of nothing and it was based on the clear vision provided by the UAE’s Constitution and the conscious decision of the political leadership. She lauded the leadership of the UAE and Sharjah for giving women their due.  

The SCC Chairperson lauded His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for amending the SCC charter to appoint 4 women to the council. She also thanked him for appointing her as the first woman chairperson of the SCC, insisting her position is not mere tokenism for the world. She praised Sheikha Fatima and HH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, for their constant efforts for women’s empowerment.  

Pointing out that men and women complement each other, she said that while in the past women took care of their children and home, the Union came to refine their personality and empower them with its various institutions.    

Dr Mona Al Bahar, acting CEO of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, said that women’s empowerment in the UAE is the result of a long process.  “When I look at my mother and grandmother and then at myself sitting here, I realise I am sitting here because of them.” She recalled the historical examples of Sheikha Salama, the great mother of Sheikh Zayed, and Sheikha Hessa, the grandmother of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who not only provided leadership to their tribes, but also played a historical role in resolving conflicts between tribes.  

Pointing out that Emirati women have historically supported their men, she said: “When men went diving and fishing, women used to take care of their homes.” Dr Mona Al Bahar paid rich tributes to Sheikh Zayed, saying it was his foresight and vision that has played a key role in women’s empowerment today. He persuaded the UAE tribes to change their thinking and allow women to go to colleges and universities and compete with men in all spheres of life.  Even when the UAE Army was being set up and people pointed out that there were not enough men to fill the ranks, Sheikh Zayed said that we have Emirati women to complement.  

She said that it was because of those tireless efforts that Emirati women are truly empowered today, adding the march of women’s progress began long before the discovery of oil. “We are not a new country.  We are very old as a people and nation going back thousands of years,” she added saying the UAE as a civilisation evolved between the Delmon in Bahrain and Majan in Oman, long before the country came into being. Even Sindbad stories were based on the people of the UAE.           

In her opening remarks, Aisha Sultan (moderator) founder and director of Dar Waraq Publishing House, Dubai, said that UAE women today provide leadership to both men and women.  Hailing women’s progress in the UAE, she said women’s leadership is the sub-title of leadership in the UAE.  She lauded the UAE leadership, saying without their support and broad outlook, women’s empowerment in the country wouldn’t have been possible.  

The moderator praised Emirati women, saying although they have achieved so much in such a short time, they have firmly held on to their strong Islamic identity, faith and cultural values. The UAE women have set a definite and ideal example for women in the rest of the region and the Arab and Islamic world to follow.   

Sharjah Media Centre is celebrating the holy Month of Ramadan by hosting the Ramadan Majlis, from June 12 to 20. Held in a special Ramadan tent on Al Majaz Island in the heart of Khalid Lagoon, this year’s Ramadan Majlis includes five intellectually stimulating sessions with a galaxy of public figures, intellectuals, artists, scholars, authors, sportspersons and media personalities taking part in debates and interactive discussions in the spirit of promoting a culture of dialogue. 

Headlined “In the Culture of Dialogue”, the fifth Ramadan Majlis sessions is held after the Taraweeh prayers and is highly interactive and fruitful, covering a gamut of issues and interests. The SMC Ramadan Majlis sees the presence of high-profile public figures, including ministers, artists, intellectuals and sports personalities who will share their experiences and views with the select audience.

The Ramadan Majlis is a pioneering initiative by SMC to raise and discuss a wide spectrum of issues before the community, with the help of distinguished experts, innovators, intellectuals, writers and artists from across the Arab world.