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Safeya Binzagr helped bridge the cultural link between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Katakura Kunio, the former Japanese ambassador to Egypt, Iraq, and the UAE, has paid tribute to Safeya Binzagr, who passed away last week, emphasizing the profound impact of her contributions to enhancing Japan’s cultural ties with Saudi Arabia.
Binzagr, known as the “mother” of Saudi Arabia’s fine art movement and a symbol of Vision 2030, helped bridge the cultural link between Japan and Saudi Arabia and was the aunt of current Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr.
Katakura, chairman of Japan’s Foundation for Desert Culture, fondly recalled Safeya’s “warm and encouraging nature” toward him and his late wife, Motoko.
“Her support was instrumental in Motoko’s cultural anthropological fieldwork in Wadi Fatima,” he said. “She always welcomed the foundation’s follow-up missions with open arms, fostering a deep and personal connection with us.”
Katakura said Binzagr was not only a gifted artist whose work inspired many but also a cherished friend and mentor. Her passion for creativity and dedication to her paintings left an indelible mark, and her artistic legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Ambassador Binzagr commented: “Building a cultural bridge is the core for creating a distinguished future between two countries and I strive, as an ambassador, to support this because it creates an opportunity for common interests to rise to a common outlook and mutually supportive values.
“The mission carried out by my late aunt will continue (in) the making of a new era. She was one of the pillars that paved the way for this through her dedication to building and promoting the culture of the arts for future generations. The Kingdom considers her the mother of the cultural heritage of creative fine arts.”
The ambassador said there are ongoing efforts to further collaboration between Japan’s Foundation for Desert Culture and prominent foundations in the Kingdom to build upon the cultural ties between the two countries.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Late Safeya Binzagr and Professor Katakura. (National Museum of Ethnology, Japan & Kanakawa Foundation)
Maria Mohammed Al Rahbi, a student of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), won second place at the individual level in the World Photography Cup for Universities and Higher Education Institutions 2024.
Maria Al Rahbi is a computer science major at the University’s College of Science and a member of the photography group at the Deanship of Student Affairs. She took part in the contest as part of a team representing SQU after the competition was announced to all higher education institutions around the world.
Each institution is allowed to participate with a maximum of 5 students. Each student can compete with 4 photos.
The competition was organized by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and it saw the participation of 88 universities from around the world.
The jury included prominent specialists in the world of photography, including photographers from National Geographic society, the Silk Road Photography Organisation, and officials from the International Federation of Photographic Art or “Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique” (FIAP).
It is worth noting that the award will be presented at a ceremony in China in October 2024 as part of similar events that include an international conference and a photography exhibition.
Fifteen of Maria Al Rahbi’s works of art will be displayed in FIAP wings. On the sidelines of the award ceremony, Maria will participate in a workshop to be attended by international photographers.
Dr. Azhar Hussein Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Planning and the head of Syndicate of Iraqi Engineers, received the Arab Woman of Excellence Award in the field of public service.
In an interview she gave to the Iraqi News Agency, Dr. Saleh said that she received this award, the first Iraqi woman to do so, as the only woman in the Arab region to head a syndicate of engineers, in addition to her other accomplishments. She added that she did not receive the award in person in light of the current circumstances. A ceremony that would allow her to officially receive it from Arab League will be held in Tunis early next year as part of Arab Women Week.
She goes on to say: “This major award is considered among the most prestigious honoring Arab women.” She then emphasizes that she will continue to move along the same path and work to keep pace with technological development, in order to help her country grow and prosper.
Dr. Saleh then explained that this award honors the distinguished role Iraqi women play in the development and construction of Iraq despite the difficult circumstances.
Dr. Saleh holds a Ph.D. in engineering and has held many high-ranking administrative positions; before being an Undersecretary, she had been the General Director of the General Government Contracts Department and Director General of Sector Planning Department at the Ministry of Planning. She also represents Iraq in the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, and has many academic and social achievements to her name.
Rawan Amir, 28, along with twin brothers Amaar and Baraa, 23, as well as Muaaz, 17, are siblings in a wider family of seven doctors.
Four siblings who are all doctors, or training to become doctors, from Saudi Arabia have broken the Guinness World Records title for the most awareness ribbons on a car with 5,637 ribbons, it was announced this week.
The ribbons featured 16 different colors, representing major types of cancers as the initiative is aimed at encouraging people to take up early screening.
Rawan Amir, 28, along with twin brothers Amaar and Baraa, 23, as well as Muaaz, 17, are siblings in a wider family of seven doctors.
The parents along with another sister are also doctors in different fields. The family lost their grandfather to colon cancer, and their grandmother to ovarian cancer.
Speaking to Guinness World Records Amaar Amir said: “If we managed to educate at least one person, then there is a possibility that we save a life, which is the greatest deal for us as doctors and medical students.”
He continued: “Medical students see a lot suffering in this area. Cancer affects lots of people’s lives, and different type of cancers are possible in different ages. The earlier someone know about it the better. This makes a big difference for survivals.”
The four siblings grew up in a well-educated environment. The parents used to buy books, especially biology ones, and allow their children to read them from an early age.
According to Amaar, the medical curriculum is very strong in Saudi Arabia, so most of the family studied in the Kingdom, with some continuing their majors in the US.
Amaar and Baraa are senior medical students, while Rawan is a Cardiology Fellow. Their brother Muaaz is high school graduate who has applied to medical school. Their elder sister is also an Endocrinology Fellow, while their mother is Chief of Pathology, and finally their father is Consultant Nephrologist.
Living in Dhahran in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the team used their family car, Toyota Rav 4, for the attempt. They have also used 56,370 centimeters of ribbons, and 21,385 cm of double-sided tape, all cut individually by hand to create 10cm ribbons, and placed on the car.
The family’s work and study schedules are usually busy, so they decided to do something special and bring benefit to the community. In ribbons and tape, they have used six times the height of The Great Pyramid of Giza, all placed on a single SUV family vehicle.
“We wanted to apply to break a Guinness World Records title because it is the gold standard in providing a platform for talented people and unique achievements. We know that our Nobel cause will reach thousands and potentially millions around the world by obtaining this prestigious certificate,” Amaar added.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The ribbons featured 16 different colors, representing major types of cancers as the initiative is aimed at encouraging people to take up early screening. (GWR)
Thirteen Egyptian businesswomen made it to the Forbes Middle East 100 Most powerful businesswomen 2023 list this year.
The list was prepared by the famous financial magazine’s Middle East edition according to the size of the business, the individual’s impact and achievements, performance over the last year, and the scope of CSR and other initiatives led by the person.
The 100-entry list included 104 women from 27 different sectors and 27 nationalities.
The UAE and Egypt scored the most entries at 15 and 12, respectively, followed by Saudi Arabia (11) , Kuwait (eight), and six from each of Lebanon, Qatar and Oman.
Egyptian businesswomen are no strangers to the list, having topped the list in previous years in terms of the number of entries.
Below Ahram Online sheds light on the Egyptian businesswomen who made it to the list:
Dalia El-Baz (13th on the list)
An American University in Cairo alumna, El-Baz is the executive deputy chairman of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE).
El-Baz, who has been on the list before, posseses 28 years of experience in the banking sector.
She joined Egypt’s largest bank in terms of assets in 2008 as head of the operational risk management group, becoming Chief Operating officer (COO) in December 2015.
In 2016, she was appointed on the bank’s executive committee.
In September 2017, she became the first woman to become the executive deputy chairman of the NBE.
Pakinam Kafafi (21st on the list)
A Cairo University graduate, Pakinam Kafafi started her career in finance and banking at EFG-Hermes in the mid-1990s, rising to the position of vice president in 2000.
She then moved to the oil and energy sector.
In 2003, Kafafi was appoointed the strategy and investment general manager of Gas & Energy Group (GENCO).
When Citadel Group acquired GENCO and merged it with TAQA Arabia, Kafafi maintained her role.
In April 2013, Pakinam Kafafi was selected as the company’s CEO.
Rawya Mansour (27th on the list)
A Cairo university graduate, Rawya Mansour proved herself one of Egypt’s leading businesswomen.
Mansour is a descendant from one of Egypt’s oldest families in the field of business.
In 1999, she founded RAMSCO for Refined Architecture and Interior Design.
In 2007, she started RAMSCO for Trade and Distribution.
She also established the Organic Agriculture for Social International Solidarity (OASIS) in Monaco in 2012.
Reem Asaad (39th on the list)
An Egyptian American, Reem Asaad is a Harvard business school graduate who continued her career in Egypt when she served as the CEO of Raya Data Center from January 2012 till December 2016.
From January 2017 to February 2020, Asaad served as Raya Contact Center CEO befor
In 2020, she was appointed Cisco Middle East and Africa Vice President.
Cisco employs 3,000 people and contractors in 74 countries across the Middle East and Africa.
In March 2021, she was appointed by Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology to serve on the board of directors for the country’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency.
Hend El-Sherbini (42nd on the list)
A graduate of Cairo University, Dr Hend El-Sherbini is a professor of clinical pathology at the University’s Faculty of Medicine.
El-Sherbini served as the CEO of Al-Mokhtabar between 2004 and 2012.
She has been seving as IDH Group’s CEO since 2012.
IDH has a network of 546 branch labs as of September 2022 in Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan and Pakistan.
The group recorded revenues of $281 million in 2021 and $143 million in the first nine months of 2022.
In August 2022, El-Sherbini increased her holdings in the group with 7.3 million additional shares through Hena Holdings.
Now, she owns 26.71 percent of the group.
Farida and Yasmine Khamis (43rd on the list)
The daughters of the famous Egyptian carpets tycoon, Farida and Yasmine Khamis are considered veterans of the Forbes list.
American University of Cairo alumni, Yasmine Khamis is currently the Chairwoman of Oriental Weavers Group, while her sister Farida is her vice-chair.
Both sisters made headlines last December when they transferred their combined 24.61percent stake in Oriental Weavers Carpet to London-based FYK limited, which is fully owned by them.
They are also board members of the British University in Cairo .
Mona Zulficar (48th on the list)
The famous renowned lawyer and human rights activist is the Forbes Middle East 100 women list veteran who has appeared constantly on the list since it started.
A Cairo University graduate, Zulficar is a veteran corporate, banking, and project finance attorney and human rights activist.
She cofounded Zulficar & Partners in 2009. Mona Zulficar chaired EFG Hermes Holding since 2008 and the Egyptian Microfinance Federation since 2015.
Mona Zulficar is currently a member of Egypt’s National Council of Human Rights.
Elham Mahfouz (56th on the list)
An AUC alumna, Elham Mahfouz has over 30 years of banking experience mostly in Kuwait.
Mahfouz has been the CEO of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (Al-Tijari) since 2014.
Al-Tijari recorded $179 million in net profit and $14.1 billion worth of total assets in 2021.
Mahfouz is a member of the supervisory board of the American University of Kuwait.
Hilda Louca (62nd on the list)
A graduate of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, Transport and Maritime Transport, Hilda Louca is a newcomer to the list.
Louca started her career in Lufthansa’s customer service before moving to become a sales marking manager at Al-Ahram Beverage Company-Heineken Egypt for three years.
In 2018, she founded MITCHA – platform to support Egyptian designers.
Today, the platform features 200 designers and brands.
Omnia Kelig (84th on the list)
An AUC alumna, Omnia Kelig is a banking and cooperate financing veteran who started her career in the CIB in 1999.
Kelig is currently Deputy CEO, Chairwoman and Managing Director of NAEEM Holding, a dual-listed company on the Egyptian Stock Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market.
In the first nine months of 2022, NAEEM reported $8.2 million in total revenues and $273 million in assets.
Before joining NAEEM, Kelig was a founder and managing director of Viveris Mashrek, a subsidiary of France’s Viveris Management.
She was also a partner and director for Haykala Investment Management and a co-head of investment banking at Barclays Bank in Egypt.
Abir Leheta (87th on the list)
An AUC alumna, Abir Leheta is another veteran on the Forbes list.
Leheta joined the Egyptian Transport and Commercial Services Company “EgyTrans” in 1997.
She has been EgyTrans CEO since 2017.
She is also the chairman of Barwil Egytrans and ScanArabia.
Abeer Helmy Saleh ( 99th on the list)
An AUC alumna, Abeer Helmy Saleh previously held a number of managerial positions, including managing director and board member at Wafa Life Insurance Company and managing director of Bupa Egypt Insurance.
In March 2022, Saleh was appointed as a Board Member & Managing Director of Misr Life Insurance, Takaful, which was established as a joint venture between Misr Insurance Holding Company, the National Bank of Egypt, and Banque Misr, with a capital of over $5 million.
Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani wins gold for innovative tech; Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi silver for her work in medical parasitology .
Two Saudi citizens were awarded prestigious medals for their groundbreaking work at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 exhibition, which was held from Aug. 28 to 31 in Bali, Indonesia.
Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani, a researcher from King Khalid University, won a gold medal for her innovation “AirEco,” which has the ability to detect and locate living beings in hard-to-reach mountainous terrain, where search efforts are typically hindered by challenging conditions.
By integrating advanced detection technologies with artificial intelligence, the device provides crucial support to rescue teams. It not only identifies precise locations but also executes functions to assist in rescue operations once the target is located.
It is one of the projects backed by the university’s Agency for Business and Community Partnership, through the Entrepreneurship Center.
The project has also earned four prestigious awards from Taiwan, Romania, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Reflecting on her achievement, she described it as a truly unique and fulfilling experience. She expressed the joy of seeing the fruits of her hard work over the past days and months, stating that the greatest reward was the pride and recognition from those around her. “It’s an incredible feeling,” she said.
“This accomplishment has fueled my desire to see it implemented quickly and made widely available,” she added. “I sincerely hope that authorities and companies will adopt the project, provide support, and help manufacture it to the highest standards so it can fully achieve its purpose.”
When asked how such achievements can positively influence Saudi participation in international competitions, she said: “Accomplishments serve as a powerful driving force for young people, pushing them toward their ambitions and future goals.
“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in particular, has become a major source of motivation, inspiring all Saudis to think creatively and pursue their aspirations.
“Saudi achievements have now become a source of national pride, shifting perspectives on the significance of success and its far-reaching impact. These accomplishments are key drivers of development, progress and prosperity.
“Beyond boosting individual self-confidence, they foster a positive mindset in society, encouraging leadership, innovation and the creation of economic opportunities. The impact of success doesn’t stop with the individual; it resonates throughout the community.”
Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi, headmaster of Highly Innovative Unique Foundation, also earned a silver medal at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 for her remarkable work in medical parasitology.
“My contribution was a personal achievement: I authored a book on medical parasitology, using engaging, narrative-driven stories to simplify the complex scientific content and make it easier for learners to distinguish between various parasites.
“I first introduced this approach while teaching at King Abdulaziz University, and it was incredibly well received by students, who found the subject much more enjoyable and accessible.”
She aid that the book, titled “Lisan Al-Hal,” has now been published and is now available in the market.
Dr. Majid Al-Aziman, director of the Entrepreneurship Center at King Khalid University, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting innovators, raising awareness and redefining the concept of entrepreneurship.
The university also seeks to spotlight the success of projects incubated by the Entrepreneurship Center and actively contribute to creating new job opportunities.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Dr. Najia Al-Zanbagi (R), headmaster of Highly Innovative Unique Foundation, earned a silver medal at the Indonesia Inventors Day 2024 for her remarkable work in medical parasitology. (Supplied)
Rafeef Ayedh Alshahrani’s project has also earned four prestigious awards from Taiwan, Romania, Hong Kong and Thailand. (Supplied)
The films tell stories of hopes, dreams, and challenges from the Arab world.
Arab cinema is about to make waves as the 81st Venice Film Festival rolls out the red carpet.
Running from August 28 to September 7, this year’s Venice International Film Festival will feature 12 Arab films backed by the Doha Film Institute.
These movies will light up key sections of the festival, including Orrizonti and Orrizonti Shorts, and make waves at Critics Week, Giornate degli Autori, Final Cut, and the Venice Gap-Financing Market.
These selections showcase the rich diversity of the region, bringing unique stories from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and Yemen into the spotlight.
Highlights include “My Father’s Scent” by Mohamed Siam, featuring Egyptian star Ahmed Malek, “Aïcha” by Mehdi Barsaoui, and “Sudan, Remember Us” by Hind Meddeb, which offers a powerful portrayal of a generation’s fight for freedom through words, poems, and chants.
“We are proud to continue a successful festival season with a strong showcase of films by Arab talent at Venice,” stated Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, chief executive officer of the Doha Film Institute.
“Our mission is to support independent creators in cinema, and the compelling selection at Venice is a testament to our commitment to shed light on stories that transcend borders and present unique perspectives. We hope these films receive the acclaim and attention they deserve,” she added.
The 2024 Venice International Film Festival is set to showcase a diverse array of Arab cinema.
In the Orizzonti category, the festival will present “Aïcha” directed by Mehdi Barsaoui and “Happy Holidays” by Scandar Copti. The Orizzonti Shorts category will meanwhile include “Shadows” by Rand Beiruty.
“Sudan, Remember Us,” directed by Hind Meddeb, will be showcased in the Giornate degli Autori section. Critics’ Week will highlight “Perfumed with Mint” by Muhammed Hamdy.
The Final Cut section will present several notable films, including “Aisha Can’t Fly Away” by Morad Mostafa, “In This Darkness I See You” by Nadim Tabet, “My Father’s Scent” by Mohamed Siam, and “Those Who Watch Over” by Karima Saidi.
Finally, the Venice Gap-Financing Market will feature “Marie & Jolie” by Erige Sehiri, “The Station” by Sara Ishaq, and “Theft Of Fire” by Amer Shomali.
With a lineup that promises to dazzle and surprise, these films are set to turn heads and set new standards.
The League of Arab States has hailed the achievements and contributions of Emirati women at the national level, calling them a role model in the Arab world.
Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of Social Affairs sector at League of Arab state, congratulated the UAE leadership, government and people on Emirati Women’s Day, which is a source of pride for Arabs due to the prominent position achieved by the UAE women at the Arab, regional and international levels.
In her statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Abu Ghazaleh praised the efforts of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (The Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC), and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), to enhance the status of Emirati women in all fields for more than 5 decades and commended the great achievements of the General Women’s Union under her leadership, making Emirati women an honorable model for Arab women.
She added that the assumption of important and influential positions by Emirati women reflects their pioneering role in society and makes them a bright sign in the Arab world, noting that the achievements of Emirati women represent a strong push towards further progress and excellence at all levels.
Dr. Abu Ghazaleh wished Emirati women further success and prosperity and expressed her aspiration for women in the UAE and the Arab world to witness more progress and active participation in building societies.
The artist, also a guest editor of ‘Bazaar Art’ praises communal creative practice and refutes the notion of the lone genius.
Some people imagine that making art, being a visual artist, is best accomplished and performed alone; I’m pretty certain they are wrong. My own experience has been exactly the opposite from the beginning.
I am an only child, the daughter of an English textile designer and a Comorian college lecturer; I was born in Zanzibar. As a little girl in the early 1960s, I played in the streets and back gardens of Maida Vale in London with two boys who lived nearby. Together we dug an enormous hole, without our parents’ knowledge or permission, to prepare for a swimming pool.
At school, in the art room, the teacher asked us to design the costumes and sets for Cyrano de Bergerac, a play in which it took two men, via poetry and letters, to court a young woman. As head girl, I joined others going out on strike to protest about democracy and freedom of speech.
At art college, which I hated almost as much as school, it was clear that the young women students were being educated to be assistants to the men. We outnumbered, out-lifted and outperformed them at every available opportunity. I learned that to succeed in theatre design you needed to be a team player—but not a woman.
As a waitress in Covent Garden in the mid-1970s, it was obvious that without the chefs, the washing-up staff and each other, we could never have survived the disdain, the flirting, and the exhaustion inflicted upon us by the customers.
The early days of organising, making and showing with other Black women artists in London were, for me, the real beginnings of my collaborative practice. We worked alongside each other in domestic studios and spoke frankly about funding and the need for studio space, as well as our doubts and fears for the future of our creative endeavours. Some women worked with each other on groundbreaking community print projects and then alongside me to make an exhibition happen. We functioned on the very outer edges of a pretty unfriendly art world for which we had huge expectation of change but an infinitesimal amount of experience as to how this could be done.
During the 40 years since those early showing days of the 1980s, my desire to work with others has grown stronger. Without the collaborative experience of working with a studio team; talking and testing, exchanging ideas, being challenged and having to rethink and compromise (in a good way), my work would be totally different: less daring, less exciting for me and more introspective (in a bad way).
There have been art historians who asked serious and intense questions about the process and curators who enabled me to be myself by taking care of me. Importantly, they dealt with the practicalities and the administrative complexities, so that the only thing I had to worry about was the making and developing or ‘how to push everything I could to the limit’.
Close friends—all artists—have in the past been invaluable partners in my work, constantly questioning, offering expertise or supporting a series of seemingly illogical projects with practical help, money, or by cooking comforting meals, making endless cups of tea or providing favourite biscuits.
During the years I spent preparing full-time art students for the challenging years ahead, which I knew would be filled with unexpected opportunities and inevitable setbacks, my advice to them was always to work with other artists who had different areas of expertise from themselves to make pop-up shows, workshops, group performance projects, homemade ’zines and moving-image productions. I tried to persuade them that it is impossible to do everything yourself, and that their own work would suffer, as would that of their fellow artists, unless they worked for an agreed common goal. Their paintings and films, installations and prints would be stronger, still individual, but part of a wider conversation.
Recently, I have learned how to listen more carefully to the sounds in my head and begun to understand how to make this real in my paintings and installations by working with Magda StawarskaBeavan, an artist who makes screen prints, paintings, and drawings as well as moving-image and sound-composition projects.
For a few years on and off we made screen prints, Magda leading and printing, then gradually worked on sound pieces—mostly hers and occasionally mine. As part of a recent show at Wiels contemporary art centre in Brussels called ‘Risquons-Tout’, we worked for several months during the fiercest lockdowns in the North West of England on an installation called ‘The Blue Grid Test’, combining a 25-metre blue painting on found objects with a six-channel sound work. We talked extensively about codes and patterns, language and love, colour and rhythm, and worked alongside each other, wandering in and out of her studio and mine. All the while, as we built layers of understanding and multiple connections through music and language using invented texts in French, English and Flemish, Magda developed a composition piece that wraps and envelops the audience. I painted a long thin line in many shades of blue. It became a room in which 64 global patterns on numerous items found neglected in cupboards, basements and on shelves in the house, spoke and sang in and out of harmony with the words and music. I felt this could be the beginning of a determination to add to our previous collaborations during the past 10 years by making real more experimental projects, in print and with sound, in between working on our own exhibitions.
If you can find someone who will listen to you as intently as you are prepared to listen to them, you have probably found the perfect collaborative partner. Be willing to say what you want and then have that idea bettered, and you may have the solution to creating artwork that really could make a difference.
This piece originally appeared in the November 2021 print edition of Harper’s Bazaar UK
Two years ago, Eqbal Dauqan was going to work in the morning as usual. She’s a biochemistry professor. And was driving on the freeway, when suddenly: “I felt something hit my car, but I didn’t know what it was because I was driving very fast,” she says.
Dauqan reached the parking lot. Got out of the car and looked at the door. What she saw left her speechless.
“A bullet hit the car, just on the door,” she says.
The door had stopped the bullet. And Dauqan was OK. She has no idea where the bullet came from. But it turned out to be an ominous sign of what was to come.
Gender Canyon
Dauqan is a female scientist in what’s possibly the hardest place on Earth to be a woman: Yemen.
The World Economic Forum ranks Yemen as the worst country for women’s rights. In Yemen, many women can’t leave the house without permission from a male relative.
“If she goes out with her husband or brother, that’s OK. But not by herself. ” Dauqan says. “Not everyone follows this. But this is our culture.”
A culture where two-thirds of women can’t read. About half are married by age 18 — and sometimes as young as age 8.
And then there’s the black veil. Many women in Yemen wear a niqab — a black veil that completely covers their faces,except for a tiny slit across the eyes.
Daquan wears a niqab when she’s in Yemen. She even wore one during her TEDx talk there back in 2014. But she doesn’t wear one in other countries.
“I cover my face [in Yemen] because I respect the culture,” Dauqan says. “I respect the culture.”
She may respect it — but not blindly. For the past decade, Dauqan has burst through glass ceiling after glass ceiling with fearlessness and grace.
Even as a young girl, she was a rebel. “I was a little naughty,” she says with a snicker.
She liked breaking rules. And proving people wrong. So when her parents told her she might not have the smarts to go into science and engineering — like her dad — Eqbal thought: Watch me.
“I told my father, ‘I’ve heard a lot about scientists in chemistry. What is the difference between me and them? So I want to try,” she says.
And she did more than try. She crushed it.
Eqbal won over her father and got his financial support. She was the first among her friends to finish college.Then she got a scholarship to do her Ph.D. in biochemistry at the Universiti Kebansaan Malaysia, where she studied the nutritional properties of palm oil.
That led to her writing a popular book about the fruits mentioned in the Holy Quran and their health benefits. For example, Indian Jujube — also known as red dates — are the most cultivated plant in the world and have 20 times more vitamin C than citrus fruit, Eqbal writes in her book.
Next came the prizes. In 2014, Dauqan was named one of the top female scientists in the developing world by the Elsevier Foundation. News programs in the Middle East and in China ran feature stories on her. She became so famous that Al Saeed University made her an assistant professor and head of a department — all this before she’d turned35. Dauqan was on top of the world.
And then one morning, it was all taken away.
“They were just sleeping”
In March 2015, Dauqan’s hometown of Taiz got pulled into Yemen’s bloody civil war. Planes started flying over head, dropping bombs — even on homes and schools.
“They were bombing my university!” Dauqan exclaims. “They killed some of my students.
“It was really bad. Really bad,” she says. “I’ll show you.”
Dauqan turns to her computer and brings up some photos. On the screen is a photo of several bodies laying flat on the ground. The bodies are covered in white sheets, with only their faces showing.
“This is nine person from my family,” she says. “They were sleeping. And a bomb hit their house. They all died. Nine person from my family.”
A few of the bodies are small.
“Those are two children in our family,” Dauqan adds. “They were just sleeping.”
And then they were gone — Dauqan’s cousins on her father side and their sons and daughters.
“That is why I leave my country,” she says.
“I have to be strong. I want to be strong”
After the bombings began, Dauqan had to stop her research. The university shut down. And it wasn’t safe for her to leave home. She was trapped in a city where snipers target children and bombs fall on mosques, schools and markets.
During one month of 2015, doctors treatedmore than 4,000 civilians in a Taiz hospital, the nonprofit Doctors Without Borders reported. MSF hospitals have been hit with bombs four times.
Across Yemen, about 10,000 civilians have been killed in the war and more than 40,000 have been wounded. the U.N. reports. More than 370,000 children are now malnourished because they can’t get food.
And then one day, after spending months in hiding, Dauqan had an idea: Maybe her science could get her out of the war.
She started texting her mentor, Aminah Abdullah, a food scientist at the Universiti Kebangsaan in Malaysia. They applied for a special refugee scholarship with the Institute of International Education-Scholar Rescue Fund, based in New York. She got it, and after a few months, she was safe on a plane headed for Malaysia.
Now she’s working to save up money so she can bring her parents and sister to Malaysia. “It’s very difficult,” she says. “But I have to be strong. I want to be strong!”
Dauqan works long hours in labs, continues to publish papers and mentor students. And she has never lost sight of her dreams — even her ultimate dream.
“My dream is to win the Nobel Prize,” Dauqan says with a chuckle. “It is very hard. So I don’t know. “
But Dauqan has already done so much for science — and society. When little girls in the Middle East see photos of Eqbal as a chemist — wearing a head scarf,measuring pH — they don’t need to use their imagination to think: “I could be just like her. I could be a scientist.”
source/content: npr.org (headline edited)
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“In college, I would tell my friends that I wanted to pursue a Ph.D., and they would chuckle and ridicule the idea,” says Eqbal Dauqan, who is an assistant professor at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia at age 36. Born and raised in Yemen, Dauqan credits her “naughty” spirit for her success in a male-dominated culture.Sanjit Das for NPR
