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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 June 2000 Issue No. 484 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 June 2000 Issue No. 484
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Heritage Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A message of hope
By Nevine KhalilWhile in Spain this week, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak received the International Medal from Complutense University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. The award was in recognition of her efforts in serving society and culture, as well as her prominent role in humanitarian work on the international level.
Receiving the medal, Mrs Mubarak said that the university was a centre for the evolution of modern thought and humanitarian tolerance.
The medal was also in appreciation of Mrs Mubarak's endeavours in the service of women, children, the family and environment. In her acceptance speech, she said that "the history of Egyptian and Arab women has not always been smoothly paved and sprinkled with flowers." She added, however, that the principles of Arab and Islamic cultures always led the way for the progress of women.
Religious scholars, who are moderates with a clear vision of Islam, also played a prominent role in liberating Egyptian women. She noted that it was no coincidence that the first voices calling for the education of women came from Al-Azhar, which is truly a beacon for thought and science, and a centre for enlightenment and advancement.
Mrs Mubarak told her audience that "on all continents, we should work to raise the status of women and activate their role in raising the standard of society and remove all obstacles which stand in their way in order for them to play an active role in all social, political and cultural spheres."
After her speech, Mrs Mubarak answered questions from the audience about social and cultural activities in Egypt. Asked about the status of women back home, Mrs Mubarak said that Egypt witnessed two new milestones which enhance the status of women. The first is a law facilitating procedures of personal status litigation for women so that they may "receive their financial rights quickly and efficiently". The second, she said, is the creation of the National Women's Council. This was an important political decision placing women at the centre of the social map and activating their role on the social, economic and political levels, Mrs Mubarak said. Speaking about the opportunities available for women in general, she said that according to the Constitution, women and men are equal, although "sometimes there are obstacles in actual practice."
(From top): Mrs Mubarak presenting a speech at the Egyptian Institute for Islamic Studies (EIIS); receiving the International Medal from Complutense University in recognition of her efforts in serving society and culture, as well as her prominent role in humanitarian work on the international level; President and Mrs Mubarak being feted by the Mayor of Madrid Jose Maria Alvarez Del Manzano
As for Egyptian children, Mrs Mubarak noted that this is the Children's decade, meaning that special attention is being paid to the rights of a child, especially in education, care and health. She also noted that Egypt is concerned with the rights of the African child, who has suffered tremendously as a result of war and natural disasters.
On population growth rates and family planning programmes in Egypt, Mrs Mubarak said that family planning programmes "are doing well", and that the population is gradually spreading outside the narrow Nile Valley to new communities.
At the Egyptian Institute for Islamic Studies (EIIS), Mrs Mubarak attended a reception for friends of the Alexandria Library, and later inaugurated a seminar entitled "Egyptian Women over the past 50 years".
Mrs Mubarak said that the EIIS "is a live example of the connectivity between the Egyptian and Spanish civilisations, and the European and Islamic civilisations as well". The EIIS was established by renowned Egyptian writer Taha Hussein when he was Minister of Education in 1950.
Mrs Mubarak lauded Hussein for his foresight in establishing this "channel for dialogue and cooperation between the cultures of the two countries". She said that the institute brings the two civilisations closer. In Egypt "we believe that dialogue and exchange of experience and visions is the only alternative for a culture of violence and aggression," she added.
Mrs Mubarak also praised the 19th century scholar Rifaa El-Tahtawi who was the first Egyptian to call for the education and emancipation of women in order to better equip them to share responsibility with men.
Speaking of the history of Egyptian women, Mrs Mubarak said that ancient Egyptian civilisation highly respected women, "to a degree that is unmatched in other civilisations". As seen in ancient paintings and engravings, the wife, within the family, had the same rights as her husband in managing the household; and in society, she had the same legal rights and responsibilities.
With the advent of Islam, the status of women was given a boost regarding their rights and duties, and their role in contributing to the development and advancement of society. The Constitution ensures the equality of men and women in political action, she said, and the first female member of parliament took her seat in 1957, and rose to the post of cabinet minister in the mid-1960s.
After reviewing the progress of women over the past five decades, Mrs Mubarak said that this would not have been possible without education. "The starting point is the education of women, because knowledge is the key to their emancipation," she said. "We also believe that just legislation is the umbrella for safeguarding the progress of women."
From this standpoint, and for the benefit of future generations, Mrs Mubarak said that "currently we are concentrating on modern legislation which addresses the needs of modern times, and gives women the status they deserve".
She concluded that "the propagation of science and information, as well as the encouragement of creativity are the only path that should be followed", adding that "Egypt is determined to face the challenge in order to light up with hope the lives of the new generations."
