First Arab Woman to Become NASA Researcher

NASA has appointed its membership to a Saudi academic Dr. Majdah Aburass, making her the first Arab woman to join its research team of scientists and Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Rashid, was appointed as a member of the regional research team. Abura holds a doctorate degree from the University of Surrey in environmental studies and biotechnology from UK University and specializing in oil pollutions.

“I chose to focus my research on petroleum since it is one of the most important sources of energy in the Kingdom,” she said.

But it was actually a dead bird that caused her to become interested in the environment. “In 2003 the bird flu virus was spreading around the world, and one day I found a dead bird in my garden. I felt that I wanted to know the cause of the bird’s death and whether it posed a danger to humans, so I decided to take it to a scientific laboratory.”

 Muhammad Ibrahim al-Rashid, president of NASA affiliate the Gulf American Foundation for Space said that ”it was the result of her continuous work for the environment to solve its problems”.

As for her new role, she said her appointment came as a result of a collaboration with NASA on a project that she hopes will be implemented in the near future. She was the first Saudi lady selected to be an environmental ambassador.

She is also member of many social organizations such as Women’s Committee, King Research Center, Jeddah Governorate Higher, Governorate Urban Observatory Council and National Research Center in Egypt.

Kuwait’s Hijab Style For Girls 2012

Actually it seems great and stylish. All thing is covered other then at the similar way its looks creative & trendy scarves style. I really love this kuwait hijab style. The Kuwaiti hijab design is one of the latest enhancements to current hijab to these days ! It is appropriate for all age groups, even though this hijab style is very popular among the fourteen to thirteen five years old women. The kwuait hijab style is one of the trendy style to wear . Lets check out the latest trend of Hijab in Kuwait.

Mideast women beat men in education, lose out at work

In nearly two thirds of Middle Eastern countries, there are more women than men in university, according to United Nations statistics.

This is a giant step towards -- and in many cases beyond -- one of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals: to eliminate gender disparity in all levels of education by 2015.

While most women's rights campaigners welcome the progress in education, many are concerned it does not translate into greater equality in the workplace.

"The gender gap has been closed in education in many Arab countries, which is a big achievement of recent years," said Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, Director of the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University.

"It's very recent," she added. "Even in the 1990s there was a big gender gap in education. However, there's a paradox that we have a lot of women getting a higher education and they are still too absent from the workforce and politics.

"The idea that education is key to more women reaching positions of power has not materialized."

More Saudi women traveling without male companions

A few years ago, it was not acceptable for a Saudi girl to travel abroad alone, and if she did, it was discreetly. This, however, is no longer the case.

Attitudes towards Saudi girls traveling on their own has undergone a substantial shift and now the number of young girls traveling without a male companion has remarkably increased.

A girl may have to travel on her own without a male relative for several reasons, said Saza al-Nasser, an employee in a private company in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

“Sometimes it is difficult for a girl and her accompanying male relative to have the same days off,” she said.
Some girls, she added, like to go through the experience of being abroad on their own to see how they would manage and how independent they can be.

“A girl who travels on her own also feels free and can go anywhere she wants like shopping and going out with friends without having to get the approval of that relative.”

Nasser called upon Saudi girls to try traveling on their own because it is bound to shape their personality.

“A girl becomes stronger and learns how to deal with emergencies when she has no one to help and arrange her life.”

Nasser pointed out that traveling abroad is easier than traveling within the country.

“The schedule of domestic trips is not as organized as what you have in foreign countries.”

For Saudi journalist Maisaa al-Amoudi, it is very normal for a Saudi girl to travel abroad alone.

“Now women are equal to men,” she said. “They have a career and this sometimes necessitates that they go abroad to attend conferences for example.”

Amoudi argued that traveling for shopping or sightseeing is not different than going abroad to work or study.
“A woman is a human being who has the right to lead a normal life exactly like a man.”

Depriving women from traveling on their own, she added, is because of the accumulation of social values that view such an action as unacceptable.

“It also implies lack of awareness of other people’s rights and this sometimes is taken too far it almost amounts to racism some times.”

Girls started traveling alone five years ago when the law allowing them to study abroad on their own was issued, said Mohamed Maghrabi, the general manager of a travel agency.

“This made it more acceptable for society and parents too gradually approved of their daughters traveling on their own,” he said.

Maghrabi added that the number of girls traveling alone is still small compared to men.

“The number of girls has so far increased by 15 percent and it is still going up every year.”

Regarding the most popular destinations for girls, Maghrabi said they usually prefer nearby countries.

“Most of them go to Dubai, Beirut, or Sharm al-Sheikh since they are all close, especially since the trip does not usually exceed five days.”

The Colors of the Arabian Woman

Her house in Amman is like a fashion hall, an artistic museum. Fine artistic works by Arabs, mostly Iraqis - paintings, jewelry and accessories - furnish the house. In a corner of the living room is a decorated wooden closet. The Iraqi artist and fashion designer, Hana Sadek, greeted us in her house in Amman in the basement which is like Ali Baba's cave. She is no ordinary clothes designer. She entered the profession via the plastic arts. Before she designed clothing, she traveled the Arab world in search of traditional fashion and she ended up writing an academic study of Arab dress and jewelry. She is a painter and a poet. Al-Jamela met her in her house in Amman for the following interview.

Q: Is it necessary to use a designed dress?

A: The question is related to art. Someone could ask if it is necessary to hang a painting in your house or have sculpture there? Is it necessary to listen to music? The same thing applies to fashion. Artistically designed fashion is an elegant and fine art; it is not a need but it becomes a necessity when we wear it. As for me, I do not want to wake up in the morning and see things reflecting bad taste and ugliness. When I go to an occasion, I want to see women wearing beautifully designed clothes. Women have a tendency to change and if the change is beautiful, they will accept it.

Q: Do you think that Arab women know how to choose the right dress?

A: No they do not. I try to draw out the beauty of the Arab woman's body. Arab women's bodies have unique features that we do not see in western bodies. Bodies have flaws and my job is to conceal them and show beauty. Some women ask to hide the hips. Due to the types of food we eat and the fact that we do not exercise regularly, many of us do not have good figures.

Q: In your mind, what are the standard measurements of the Arab woman body?

A: Arab women walk attractively. When they wear western clothes, their walk changes because western clothes were not designed for them. When they wear Arabic styles, they feel that the walk suits the clothes and adds softness and gentleness. They have their own magic but unfortunately most clothes designers do not concentrate on that magic. When I asked why I had received a fashion award in Rome, I was told, "Because you succeeded in showing women's femininity without showing their bodies."

Q: You mentioned femininity. What do you mean?

A: I am of the sixties generation, a generation that asked for freedom and equality with men. We strove hard not to show our femininity, thinking if we did that we would lose our case against men. I regretted this when I grew up because I was not able to enjoy and display my femininity and coquettishness. I regretted not dressing in Arab clothes which illustrate sweetness and mystique. The most beautiful thing in a woman is mystery.

Q: Other than clothes, do you design accessories and jewelry?

A: I have loved silver ever since I was a child. When I grew up, my mother refused to let me wear silver jewelry because I was from a family which believed I should always wear gold. I bought silver pieces, especially old ones with symbols that do not exist in gold jewelry. I began collecting silver pieces from Arabian cities. Sometimes I design my own silver pieces to go with a dress. At the beginning, customers refused to accept these pieces, thinking they were old or because they preferred gold. Later, customers began asking me for the right piece for their dress. The most important thing is to put the right piece with the dress, a piece that has meaning.

Q: Arab design is very poor in terms of color but you use colors generously and your designs are extremely colorful.

A: I got the idea of using a lot of color from the bedouin who use contrasting colors in their dress. They use the natural colors surrounding them.

Q: Are there specific colors that Arab women prefer? 

A: Arab women love colors in general. They love bright colors so I would say red and yellow.
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Saudi girls impress NZ women

A cultural program recently organized by Saudi girl students in Wellington impressed New Zealanders as it removed their misconceptions about Saudi women and their achievements.

Nineteen Saudi girls took part in the program, which explained the various roles and aspects of Saudi women.

New Zealand women who attended the program called for organizing such events at least twice a year.
Erin, an official at Victoria University, said: “I have attended many programs organized by foreign students in Victoria University but none of them reached the standard of program presented by the Saudi girls.”

Laila Faden and Batoul Al-Saif played a leadership role in the program supervised by Dr. Sattam Al-Otaibi, Saudi cultural attaché in New Zealand.

Fatma Fuhaida, Zainab Al-Hussein and Afnan Al-Ajlan spoke about outstanding Saudi women and their achievements.

They also highlighted the gains of Saudi girls in Wellington.

Fatma Al-Saif, Linda Al-Dadi, Manal Al-Nasser and Dhuha Al-Asheikh explained the traditions from the birth of a child until marriage while Narjis Al-Khabbaz, Maha Al-Fehaid, Batoul Al-Saif and Amani Ateef explained how Saudi mothers bring up their small children, singing songs, telling stories and reciting from the Holy Qur’an.

Zahra Al-Saif and Ameena Al-Yousuf presented on how Saudis welcome their guests and ensure their comfort.

Kingdom’s career women search for extra Ramadan housemaids

As Ramadan draws near, many working women begin the relentless search for housemaids, focusing mainly on illegal workers.

Sawsan, a service representative at a local company, told Arab News: “During the holy month, there are extra demands such as cooking, cleaning and entertaining visitors.
“It is very difficult for me to accomplish all that is required and report to work daily without extra household help.”

She stated that she already has a maid, but has been searching for a second one for three weeks to no avail.
“Most maids I have spoken to usually ask for SR 1,000 to SR 1,200, but now want at least SR 3,000 for the month if cooking is included and SR 2,500 if only cleaning is required.

“This is a very high price as my salary is only SR 4,500.”

Due to the opportunities to earn a fat paycheck, often triple what they usually make, many maids deliberately wait until Ramadan to run away from their sponsors.

Some families, afraid of losing their domestic workers, even resort to locking the maids inside during Ramadan.

Enas, a Saudi doctor at a government hospital, said: “I have experienced problems in the past with runaway maids, especially during Ramadan.

“This is why I began locking all the outside doors and have barred the windows to create a secure environment and keep the maid from running away when I am at work and during the night.” She added the maid is free to move about the home as she pleases, but she cannot go outside.

When asked why she thinks locking the maid in is acceptable, she replied: “I feel I have the right to do what is necessary since I am the sponsor responsible for the housemaid.

“If she runs away I will be the one who has to pay the extra charges and burdened with extra household chores.

“I will also have to wait months before a replacement can be recruited.”

The pool of illegal maids is believed to have dwindled this year due to tighter restrictions on Umrah visas, often used by foreigners to gain access to the Kingdom for employment purposes.

This is in addition to the Kingdom’s ban on the recruitment of domestic workers from the Philippines and Indonesia implemented last year.

According to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), sponsors of runaway maids can be fined up to SR 10,000 and the maid deported if caught by local authorities.
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Arab women in sport: 'There will be no more barriers for us'

From Saudi basketballers to Qatari shooters, a new exhibition celebrates Arab sportswomen in all their diversity. Huma Qureshi hears their inspiring stories.

Maysan Mamoun has a dream that one day she and all other Saudi women will be able to play sport openly.
"I don't think this will last forever," she says, referring to the restrictions in place on Saudi women, who are not even allowed inside sports clubs, let alone to play for them. "We are pioneers. We will open doors."
Mamoun is the co-captain of the Green Team, a women's basketball team in Saudi Arabia. The only way the team can play is in private - they practice in the back garden of their other captain, Maysan Al Sowayigh. Al Sowayigh persuaded her parents to convert the space into a court for her so that the team would have somewhere to play.

Mamoun is speaking directly into a camera, filmed by a French documentary maker, Marian Lacombe. The interview forms part of Hey'Ya (which translates as 'Let's Go'), a free exhibition in central London that celebrates Arab women in sport, from amateurs to Olympians.

The videos complement dramatic large-scale photographs of more than 50 Arab sportswomen taken by Marian's sister, the photographer Brigitte Lacombe.

The footage was taken long before Saudi eventually agreed to send two women to the Olympics and gives an insight into the determination of Saudi women fighting for the simple right to play sport, despite the discrimination they face.

The Green Team is trying to convince families to let their daughters train with them, but says it's not an easy task in a country where sport is banned for girls in public schools.

"There was a sense of frustration among some of the women," says Brigitte, who travelled with her sister to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Morocco to photograph and film the women. "But what is so remarkable is how they kept their focus. They will do what it takes to be able to participate in sport. I was humbled by their determination, smartness and dignity."

The Lacombe sisters were commissioned by the Qatar Museums Authority, which will be showing Hey'Ya in Doha next spring. Recently, Qatari authorities have been making an effort to prove to the International Olympics Committee that they are not discriminating or restricting women from participating in sports, as they prepare to bid for the 2024 Games. This year, Qatar is sending four women to the Olympics for the first time ever.

One of them is Noor Al Malki, a 17-year-old sprinter who is competing in the women's 100m. She has also been photographed and filmed for the exhibition. In one portrait, Al Malki is on the floor, stretching out in her sports gear, while in another, she poses side-on in the tight bandana she wears to cover her hair while running. In a video clip, Al Malki says she was too shy to run without her normal veil at first, but her brothers encouraged her. "They said just be strong."

Also featured in the exhibition are Hania Fouda, an Egyptian archer whose hands are painted with henna, and Feta Ahamada, an athlete from Comoros, a majority Muslim country off the coast of Mozambique who will also be competing in the women's 100m at the Olympics. Ahamada runs in a cropped athletic top and shorts. "If covering your body or your hair makes you feel comfortable, it's not a handicap," she says to the camera. "It's only sport. Everyone should do want they want."

Some of the women photographed are fully covered but most are not. "I want people to see the diversity of women in the Arab world. They are not all the same," says Lacombe, who spent seven months on the project.

Seventeen-year-old Reem Al Sharsani from Qatar missed out on an Olympics place this year in her sport, shooting, but has come to London for the start of the Games. She believes things are changing for young women of her generation; her older sister Yasmian plays golf and set up the Qatar Golf for Women club. Both were photographed by Lacombe.

"Before, women couldn't go out or do sports, but then everything changed when the Asian Games came to Qatar in 06. That's when women started realising it was possible to play too. Now I have a lot of support."
Yasmian, who wears a flowing black robe, agrees. "I'm so proud of all these women. I want to show the world we can do anything, even if we are covered. There will be no more barriers for us."

2012′s Most Influential Arab women revealed

The 2012 Arabian Business Power 500 contains more women than ever before, with a record 105 making the list of the world’s most influential Arabs.

Reem Asaad, the Saudi women who launched a campaign for women to be allowed to work in lingerie shops in the Kindgom, is the highest ranked woman in third spot. Another Saudi woman, the children’s cancer specialist Dr Khawla Al Kuraya is ranked 9 on the list, one place ahead of UAE Minister of Foreign Trade,  Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

The Bahrani doctor Rular Saffar, who was jailed by the authorities during last year’s riots, is ranked eleventh, with two more women in the top 20 – the Yememi activist Tawakkul Karman in thirteenth place, and Saudi medical researcher Hayat Sindi in 19 place.

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed topped the Arabian Business Power List for the eighth successive year.
Emirates Airline chairman Sheikh Ahmed was ranked second. Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar was fourth on the list, with the Libyan activist Mohammed Nabbous in fifth place. Nabbous was the founder of Libya Al Hurra TV in Benghazi,  the first independent broadcast news organization since Gaddafi took power in Libya. The 28 year old was killed last year by Pro-Gaddafi forces.

Arab woman competes @ London 2012 Olympics

Sarah Attar finished last in the 800m heat but her race time mattered little, history was what counted most for. Yesterday, she became the first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in the Olympic athletics. Attar drew a roar of approval from over 80,000 fans as she crossed the finish line in 2mins, 44.9 seconds.

The Arab state finally allowed women into its team after years of lobbying by feminist groups prompted talks with the International Olympic Committee.

Speaking about the race, Sarah said: ‘Hopefully, this marks something amazing. It was about the cause, not about if I won or not. I wanted to make a difference. To make that first step for women is the most amazing feeling.’

American-born Attar, who has dual Saudi and US citizenship, wore a white headscarf for her run to conform with Islamic law.

Saudi woman student conducts advanced solar energy research at Masdar Institute

RIYADH: A Saudi female student from the US has conducted advanced research in solar technology at the Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Samar Alqatari is an engineering physics student with a focus on renewable energy at Stanford.
As a research assistant, Alqatari has spent the summer in the nanoelectronics and photonics labs of Dr. Ammar Nayfeh and Dr. Matteo Chiesa.

Her research focuses on the characterization of zinc oxide using a process called atomic force microscopy, which has the ability to analyze the surface and electric properties of nanomaterials, to look at the topography and conductivity properties of a zinc oxide thin film coating on a silicon wafer.

The results have many applications in electric devices, flexible electronics, and most importantly solar cells, according to a statement from Masdar.

Alqatari received her scholarship from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia to study at Stanford University.

Nayfeh said: “The nanoelectronics and photonics labs at Masdar Institute is the perfect location for promising students such as Samar Alqatari to conduct advanced research.” “Her research has already produced significant results, which we hope will benefit the academia and the solar energy industry.”
Alqatari said the research she conducted at Masdar has many applications in renewable energy, specifically solar power.

She added the institute has provided a stimulating environment for research and innovation.
She added: “The lab environment is very relaxed but at the same time their work on cutting-edge projects remains productive.”

She said Masdar Institute helped her decide on pursuing a career in academia with a focus on solar energy.