18 - 24 April 2002
Issue No.582
|
Al-Ahram Weekly Online 18 - 24 April 2002 Issue No.582 |
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
At humanity's crossroads
photo: Mustafa Attia
Mrs Suzanne Mubarak opened last Wednesday the 39th International Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. That she was the first public figure to be officially invited to inaugurate the fair since its inception in 1963 reflects international appreciation for her pioneering work in the field of upgrading children's education and culture.
Mrs Mubarak delivered a number of public addresses, was hosted on Italian television and spoke to the Italian press about various issues, including children's cultural enhancement, women's advancement and the plight of the Palestinian people.
She said humanity today stands at a crossroads between perpetuating the status quo, which is characterised by selfishness and isolationism that has led to war, suffering and desperation, and a new state in which people believe in the virtues of diversity and the spread of the culture of dialogue, sympathy and cooperation.
"Our future depends on our children. We must raise children to love knowledge, forgiveness, creativity and imagination, which will directly impact their behaviour in bringing about peace and prosperity. And of course books have a central role to play in children's magical world," she said.
Addressing the current situation in the occupied territories, Mrs Mubarak said the Arab public have pinned their hopes on US Secretary of State Colin Powell's sensitive visit to the region. She said people are expecting all influential parties to put more pressure on Israel to stop its aggressive operations in the Palestinian occupied territories, which not only violate international agreements and commitments, but also basic human rights and the principles of justice and humanity.
"The Intifada and resistance is the only weapon Palestinians possess to defend themselves," Mrs Mubarak said. "Suicide bombing is an extreme and desperate act by those who have been left no other choice. Even young girls have become suicide bombers, which shows the extent of humiliation, horrible suffering and the impossible life that would drive a girl to this end."
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| ARCHIVES Letter from the Editor Editorial Board Subscription Advertise! |
WEEKLY ONLINE: www.ahram.org.eg/weekly Updated every Saturday at 11.00 GMT, 2pm local time weeklyweb@ahram.org.eg |
 Al-Ahram Organisation |
Recommend this page