Arabian tales: success stories of modern women of the East
'26.11.2018'
Source: Lady.tut.by
Among Arab women in America and Europe, not only lawyer Amal Clooney and architect Zaha Hadid are well known. Did you know that the princess of Saudi Arabia headed Vogue for two years? Who was the first female minister of the UAE? This and other facts about famous women of the East are in our selection.
Saudi Princess Dina Abdulaziz
The wife of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Dina Abdulaziz - an atypical representative of the East, writes lady.tut.by. She wears a short haircut, not covered with a handkerchief, visits all fashion shows, poses with pleasure to street-style photographers, and has boutiques in Riyadh and Doha. For a long time, along with her husband, Dina lived in New York, but in 2004 she returned to Saudi Arabia.
In addition to her own business, Abdulaziz is actively engaged in journalism: she led a column on influential Style.com, which in the publishing house Condé Nast was turned into the online platform Vogue Runway. In 2016-2017, she led the Arabic Vogue.
The first attempt to launch the publication in the East was made 10 years ago, but then the idea was abandoned because of cultural and ideological differences. But the second was successful. Initially, an online version of the publication appeared, and from the spring of 2017 onwards - its printed version.
The editors of Vogue Arabia, led by Dina, are based in Dubai, and the magazine is distributed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Morocco and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Dina left the editorial office to do her own projects.
Sheikh Lubna al-Qasimi
“I do not advocate for the emancipation of women and do not say that they must work. But we have to get rid of stereotypes in children's books like “my mother cooks, my dad works”, ”says Sheikh Lubna al-Qasimi.
For several years in a row, it was she who ranked the ranking of the most influential Arab women by the Arabian Business Magazine.
Lubna al-Qasimi became the first woman in the UAE to receive a degree in technological sciences abroad. Then she was the first of the fair sex to take the position of software engineer in Dubai Port Authority.
And finally, she became the first female minister of the UAE. Until the end of 2017, Al-Qasimi headed the ministry for international cooperation and development of the country, as well as on issues of tolerance. In addition, she is fighting for the rights of women, calling on the government of the Emirates to provide grants for girls ’education in Pakistan and Yemen.
Amal Clooney
Amal Clooney was born in Beirut, but then moved to the UK with her family. There she studied at Oxford, and after - flew over the ocean to continue her education at the New York School of Law. “Students, especially those who came from the Middle East, spoke only about her. And about her mother, the famous journalist Bari Alamuddin.
Even then, it was clear that the girl would leave her mark on history, ”recalls Gilad Zuckerman, who studied with Amal, who then bore the surname Alamuddin.
The wife of the famous actor George Clooney is one of the most sought-after human rights lawyers in the world. Among her clients in recent years, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed were noted. Three years ago, Amal Clooney made her debut in the ranking of the most influential Arab women, and immediately on the second line. Now she continues to advocate and raising twins Ella and Alexander.
Sheikh Moza bint Nasser Al Misned
“Gray Cardinal” and “Qatar's Purple Rose” - as soon as they do not call Sheikh Moza bint Nasser. In 18 years she became the second wife of the crown prince of Qatar, but then did not experience the joy. Moza knew her future husband badly, and marriage was the decision of her father-in-law. Nevertheless, it was Moza who became Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s beloved wife.
Perhaps this is why she was allowed to actively intervene in the public and political life of Qatar. Forbes included Moza on 100’s list of the most influential women in the world, and experts say “The hour of Moza” has come. In 2013, her son Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani became the new emir of Qatar, on whom she has a great influence.
Another sheikhs passion is fashion. Among the favorite brands - Valentino. And it was her in 2012, acquired the royal family of Qatar. The purchase amount was € 700 million. It is said that the transaction was made at the insistence of her Highness.
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly from bronchitis in March 2016, is the world's most famous female architect. She was born in Baghdad in 1950, finished 1977 in the Architectural Association in London, and two years later founded her own architectural company, Zaha Hadid Architects.
Zaha Hadid became the first woman in the world to receive the “Nobel” in the field of architecture - the prestigious Pritzker Prize.
And shortly before her death, she became the first lady to receive the gold medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Among her most famous works are the Guangzhou Opera House, the London Water Sports Center, Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi and other facilities around the world. And about 30 new projects, including a technology park in Skolkovo, will be implemented by its architectural bureau after the death of Hadid.
