1 - 7 November 2001
Issue No.558
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 1 - 7 November 2001 Issue No.558 |
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LOFTY CAUSES: Mrs Suzanne Mubarak re- opened Monday night the Alexandria Centre for Creativity, which has seen some major renovation and development work, Dahlia Hammouda reports. The revamped centre includes a general library, an IT hall, a cinema, an art studio, a literature hall and a music library.
On Sunday, Mrs Mubarak attended the inauguration of the Suzanne Mubarak Children's Specialised Hospital, where she praised the increased standard of medical care in Egypt. In her address at the new hospital, affiliated to the Giza branch of the Red Crescent Society, Mrs Mubarak said some diseases have been totally eradicated in Egypt, such as diphtheria and malaria, and the number of those infected with tuberculosis and tetanus has declined to international averages. She also noted that Egypt's child mortality rate has decreased significantly.
Mrs Mubarak, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, said the new hospital is a non- governmental establishment built to provide children whose families cannot afford private medical services with quality health care. The hospital has been fully funded by donations from the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individuals. "This hospital has exemplified the achievements of voluntary civil work, as is shown by the support and solidarity extended by financially-able Egyptians to lower-income citizens," Mrs Mubarak said.
On Saturday morning, Mrs Mubarak, who is also head of the National Council for Women (NCW), presided over a meeting of the council in which she stressed the importance of training women to manage small and unconventional projects that will give them the experience and skills necessary for financial security. Mrs Mubarak also underscored the importance eradicating female illiteracy -- an issue given the utmost priority by the NCW. Female literacy is considered crucial to working through many of the problems that relate to development. Mrs Mubarak further stressed the necessity of ensuring the effectiveness of NCW branches in the country's governorates.
Also on Saturday, an international conference to combat drug addiction entitled "Religion and Science to Face Addiction" was held under the auspices of Mrs Mubarak. In a speech delivered on her behalf by Hamdi Zaqzouq, minister of Awqaf (religious endowments), Mrs Mubarak warned that drugs were the number one threat to Egypt's national security, especially since the country is at a such a crucial stage of development.
"Our youths are the pillars of this renaissance, and it is our responsibility to protect them from the danger of drug use," she said. When scientific and religious efforts combine, she added, a great deal can be achieved to immunise our society from drug abuse.
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