Abu Dhabi and UAE: Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak

[La la]

Parade of flowers honours work of Mother of Nation

By Chris Sands, Staff Reporter
Abu Dhabi: A parade of flowers travelled along Abu Dhabi's Corniche yesterday in honour of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.
Seven floats representing each of the UAE's emirates and covered with more than 150,000 flowers from around the world were used in the Mother's Day celebration.


Students create a painting honouring Her Highness Shaikh Fatima.

The parade began just after 5pm. Led by nine horses and with paragliders overhead, it went the length of the Corniche.
Shaikh Nayhan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education, also watched the event from his car.
A total of 120 types of flower from Ecuador, Colombia, the United States, France, Belgium and Kenya were on display. Each of the seven floats was 12 metres long and 3 metres wide. Other tributes were also paid to Shaikha Fatima yesterday. Schoolchildren and college students gathered along the Corniche starting at 9am to paint a giant picture for the Chairwoman of the General Women's Union. Organisers claimed the painting was the largest of its kind in the world. As part of the UAE celebrations of international Mother's Day, Shaikha Fatima will be honoured as the Mother of the Nation for her role in supporting and empowering women.
The event also comes as a recognition of the 30-year-old involvement of Shaikha Fatima in various charity and humanitarian causes around the world.

[La la]

UAE women hail move on share allocation

By Shireena Al Nowais. Abu Dhabi: UAE national women hailed the directive by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, to allocate shares to them. The move would ensure their participation in the establishment of new companies while providing financial security for the future, they noted.
They were reacting to news that Shaikha Fatima has instructed the board of Al Qudra Holding company to allocate Dh50 million worth of its founding shares to UAE national women.

For the first time, a new company will allocate a portion of its initial offering of shares specifically to female UAE national investors.Engineer Hessa Al Haldy, a member of the Abu Dhabi Women's Business Council, said each woman was allocated Dh200,000 worth of shares."This is a kind gesture from Shaikha Fatima. It ensures fair competition for men and women. For the first time, women are participating in this sector as actively as men," said Hessa Al Haldy, a member of the Abu Dhabi Women's Business Council."We have many such IPOs being floated, and women can now participate on par with men in establishing these companies," she added.

Shamsa Hazeim, head of the Abu Dhabi Women's Association, said shares worth Dh2 million were distributed to the heads of the association's branches in Al Ain, Wathba and other areas."This is the first time that such a move has been made. It is like a gift. Usually women are not interested in buying and selling shares, and Shaikha Fatima is encouraging their participation in building a future."It also ensures women can function on equal terms with men in the stock markets," she added.

Al Qudra Holding Company is a private firm to be headquartered in Abu Dhabi.It plans to invest in promising UAE-based projects related to the industrial, financial, sports, communication and IT sectors, among others.It will also study opportunities to buy shares in new ventures, and in some cases purchase them outright.
Shaikha Fatima's directive flows from her long-standing belief in the need for female UAE nationals to fully participate in the development and modernisation of the country, said Salah Salem Bin Omair Al Shamsi, chairman of Al Qudra.It ensures UAE women get opportunities to invest capital and, equally important, to participate in corporate decision-making, he said.

The next stage in this progression will be the participation of women in the management of companies.Al Qudra's initial capital has been set at Dh500 million.Investors must subscribe to at least 500,000 shares to participate in the offering. The limit for subscriptions is 5 million shares. The face value of the shares is set at Dh1.
Shaikha Fatima's directive represents a milestone for the country, one that would not have been possible without her constant support for the nation's women, a source from the Abu Dhabi Women's Association said.

[La la]

Maternal and infant deaths drop in UAE
By Lana Mahdi 12 April 2005
AL AIN — Maternal mortality in the UAE has come down to one for every 100,000 child births and infant mortality to 4.5 for every 1,000 live births, Dr Saeed Abdullah, Director-General of Al Ain Preventive Medicine, has said.
Addressing a function here to mark the World Health Day, organised by the Al Ain Preventive Medicine, he said that this would not have been possible without the interest shown by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak in mother and child care programmes.
Mohammed bin Rakkad Al Amry, a member of the National Consultative Council, and Dr Husam Sultan Al Ulma, the chief of the UAE University libraries, attended the function.
Dr Abdullah said the World Health Report 2005 Make Every Mother and Child Count says that this year almost 11 million children under five years of age will die from causes that are largely preventable.
Among them are four million babies who will not survive the first month of life. At the same time, more than half a million women will die in pregnancy, childbirth or soon after.
“The report says that reducing this toll in line with the Millennium Development Goals depends largely on conferring on every mother and child right to access to heath care from pregnancy through childbirth, the neonatal period and childhood,” he said. A health and mother care exhibition was also organised as part of the programme.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displaya...e_april392.xml

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King of Morocco visits Sheikha Fatima, offers condolence
Apr 26, 2005 - 10:33 -
King of Morocco visits Sheikha Fatima, offers condolence Abu Dhabi, 26 April, 05 (WAM) - King Mohammed VI of Morocco visited this evening Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to offer his condolence to her on the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
King Mohammed said Sheikh Zayed's death was a great loss, not only to the UAE, but also to Morocco, Arab and Islamic nations.
"The late Sheikh Zayed was a symbol of wisdom and forward thinking. He was very keen on promoting solidarity among Arab b countries," he added.
"It is of consolation to us that the late Sheikh Zayed's path is being keenly followed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan." King Mohammed praised the strong fraternal ties between the UAE and Morocco, adding that his visit to the UAE and talks with Sheikh Khalifa and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, represent an opportunity to further bolster the relations.
Earlier in the day, Sheikha Fatima hosted a luncheon in honour of Princess Lala Fatima Al Zahra, aunt of the Moroccan monarch, who is accompanying him on his visit to the country.
The luncheon was attended by a number of Sheikhas.

[Akilah]

I was very surprised to learn that Fatima met with King Mohammed.

[SalSabeel]

Originally Posted by Akilah

I was very surprised to learn that Fatima met with King Mohammed.

Sheikha Fatma Used to Visit Moroco constantly with sheikh Zayed, King Mohammed used to play with her children ....they are very good freinds i mean both families....
so he is used to meet her since he was a kid and this didn't stop.... he treats her like a mother

[Akilah]

Good to hear that Fatima thinks King Mohammed to be another son. Given her unwillingness to greet and entertain the opposite sex (meaning males). I thought the public announcement of their meeting to be surprising and progressive.

[La la]

Questionnaire on 'Ideal Family' contest
By a staff reporter 28 April 2005
ABU DAHBI— Questionnaire on annual 'Ideal Family' contest constituted by Her Highness, Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union (GWU), will be available in local magazines. The GWU has set May 31 as the last day for accepting the questionnaire on the 7th round of the competition, which aims to highlight the concepts of family ties and its importance in securing social stability. Held this year under the theme: 'Extended family..integrity and harmony', the contest targets distinguished families.

[La la]

Fatima’s efforts at upgrading education in country lauded
31 March 2005
ABU DHABI — The Parents Council of Abu Dhabi Educational Zone chaired by Brigadier Zayed bin Saqr Al Falahi, have lauded the great efforts exerted by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the UAE Women’s Federation, in upgrading and supporting education in the country.

Brigadier Al Falahi was speaking during a function held at the Abdul Jaleel Al Fuhaim School, to honour Shaikha Fatima and students who won the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone’s ‘Parents Council Award’, on behalf of Brigadier Zayed bin Saqr Al Falahi. “Shaikha Fatima in every sense deserves the title “Mother of the Emirates” for her great concern for the development of national women in all walks of life,” Al Falahi said.

Sidiq Al Khaja, member of the Council, said that Shaikha Fatima was “a pioneer of social and educational development of UAE women”, adding that her efforts went along the same lines of late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, builder of the nation. Ali Abdulla Al Naqabi, Director of Al Fuhaim School, remarked that educators should prepare a generation of educated young people who have an understanding of national issues and the ability to bear responsibility for their faith and country.

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Bouteflika confers highest Algerian Order on Sheikha Farima
Apr 29, 2005.
Bouteflika confers highest Algerian Order on Sheikha Farima Abu Dhabi, 29 April 2005(WAM)--Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has conferred +Al Atheer Order+, the highest Algerian Order upon Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in recognition of her enormous contribution to the progress and empowerment of UAE and Arab women.

The bestowal of this honour on Sheikha Fatima coincided with the award of a honourary doctorate by the Algerian University on Sheikha Fatima.
Both the Atheer Order and the honourary doctorate were received on behalf of Sheikha Fatima by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture.

In remarks on this occasion, Sheikha Fatima expressed her delight over this great recognition, saying that it was demonstration of the historical and brotherly relations between the peoples of the UAE and Algeria. It underscores the originality of Arab values upheld by the Algerian society , said Sheikha Fatima.

She dedicated the accolade and doctoral degree to the memory of the late Sheikh Zayed, saying that it was Zayed's vision that impelled her successful involvement in social and humanitarian issues. Sheikha Fatima expressed her well-wishes to Algeria and paid tribute to the wise leadership of President Bouteflika which, she said, made it possible for the country to promote national reconciliation and regain its position as a leading nation in the Arab world. She also saluted the people of Algeria, particularly women for their heroism and patriotism which brought about impressive progress to the country.

+The Algerian women have gone a long way in achieving remarkable successes in various fields. These successes are undoubtedly a source of pride to all of us in the Arab world. They reflect a positive image about Arab women and prove that Arab women are as involved in the development of their socities as their colleagues in the developed countries.+ said Sheikha Fatima.

She pointed out that the bestowal of the highest Algerian award upon her is a mark of recognition for the enormous contributions made by Arab women in their societies. +Arab women are active players in their societies. This is a fact underpinned by the presence of many women in the parliaments, cabinets and other prominent institutions+ she said. Sheikha Fatima called for closer cooperation between women organisations in Algeria and the UAE. She concluded her remarks by renewing her commitment to noble humanitarian causes worldwide and also promoting cultural dialogue amongst civilizations so a better world is created, a world where different cultures, religions and races live in harmony and tolerance.

[anastasija]

Is Sheikha Fatima still the first lady of the UAE?I never heared about the wife of the current president?

[La la]

In print she is not referred to as the First Lady anymore but privately I think that's what a lot of people still call her. She earned that title through hard work and dedication so it can't be supplanted by anyone else as long as she's alive, unlike in other countries where the First Lady is the wife of President. It's a given. So formally, they skip it to avoid confusion.

Anyhow, I don't even know the name of President Khalifa's wife.

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Fatima’s generous gesture to elevate women’s status hailed
By a staff reporter 1 May 2005
ABU DHABI — Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director of the UAE Women’s Federation, welcomed the initiative of Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, president of the federation, to dedicate Dh50 million of the Al Qudra Holding’s founding shares to national women. “This generous gesture reflects Shaikha Fatima’s concern and call for the elevation of woman’s status and her encouragement for women’s participation in the course of development that the country is witnessing”, she said.

She also praised the campaign that Shaikha Fatima is conducting for the emancipation of the national woman’s status, holding her hand to facilitate her entrance to new domains in which she could benefit her country.Mrs Suwaidi added that this initiative falls within the campaign for development and growth that the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had launched, and which the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed, is currently following.

She clarified that this initiative represents a real reflection of the constant concern that Shaikha Fatima shows for the strengthening of the woman’s role and presence in the economic sphere, and more specifically the improvement of her economic status and the encouragement of her entrance to the business and investment sectors.

Mrs Suwaidi stressed that the ladies’ circles in the country reacted positively to the initiative, which reflected the homogeneity between her efforts and aspirations, and the women’s segment in the UAE.She said that the initiative comes as part of a complete developmental project directed by Shaikha Fatima for the emancipation of the UAE woman, which is revealed through her constant support for women’s business councils and family business projects, and the increase of women’s economic awareness.

Mrs Suwaidi stated that the Mother of the Nation Shaikha Fatima’s stress on the importance of including women in such leading projects is considered a notable step that reflects the great progress that the national woman’s path has witnessed due to her support.She praised the role that the Al Qudra Holding Board has played in ensuring a quick and efficient implementation of Shaikha Fatima’s initiative, and the cooperation that ensued in order to facilitate the subscription process to participating national women. Mrs Suwaidi revealed that the women’s federation is currently in the process of preparing programmes and workshops that aim at raising women’s awareness about the importance of their economic role, and about the procedure for undertaking an investment activity, in addition to laying down the definition and horizons of investing in the shares market and the management of companies, and the details of the participation in pushing the economic wheel of the country.

This, she explained, has come as a reaction by the federation to the initiative, and to the economic growth and activity that the UAE witnesses, in addition to the importance of improving the women’s economic role, especially with regards to shares. Mrs Suwaidi expressed her gratitude and appreciation, and that of UAE women at large, for Shaikha Fatima’s continuous support to the national woman cause.

Al Qudra Holding’s starting capital was set at Dh500 million, and the subscription was limited to those invited, who subscribed during the founding meeting that was held in March 2005 in Abu Dhabi, and was steered by the company’s founding committee.

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Shaikha Fatima commended for her efforts
May 3, 2005 (WAM) -- The wife of Turkey's Army Chief of Staff has commended UAE women for their achievements in the areas of culture, work, science and technology. She attributed those achievements to the wise guidance of the leader of the UAE women's development, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

Ozik Ozkok made the statement when she and her entourage visited here today the premises of the UAE General Women's Union, GWU, were received by the GWU Director, Noura Al Suwaidi.

During the visit, Ozkok toured the various sections of the GWU premises to acquaint herself with the activities there. She expressed great appreciation for the UAE's heritage on show at the permanent exhibition centre.Al Suwaidi presented to the guest a collection of books on the GWU and its achievements over the past three decades.

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Shaikha Fatima given Taryam Omran award
By a staff reporter 6 May 2005
SHARJAH — The Taryam Omran Foundation For Cultural and Humanitarian Work presented the Award for Cultural and Humanitarian Achievement to Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the UAE Women's Federation and wife of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for her role in supporting women's issues both locally and internationally.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member fo the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, presented the award to Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Information and Culture, who received it on behalf of Shaikha Fatima, at a ceremony held at the SharjahCulturalPalace on Wednesday. Also present at the awards ceremony were Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education, and Dr Abdullah Omran, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Taryam Omran Foundation for Cultural and Humanitarian Work, besides senior officials and journalists.

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Sheikha Fatima orders setting up of child centre
May 8, 2005. Shikha Fatima orders setting up of child centre Abu Dhabi, 8 May, 05 (WAM) - The Mother of the Nation, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, has issued directives to establish the Child Centre, which aims at supporting young people's talents and improving their skills.

During a visit made today to the Abu Dhabi Women's Development Centre, Sheikha Fatima called on women to intensify activities and double efforts to upgrade their social, educational and cultural levels and to work for preserving traditions, stemmed from the tolerant teachings of Islam.

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Sheikha Fatima attends Zayed University's graduation ceremony
May 10, 2005. Sheikha Fatima attends Zayed University's graduation ceremony Abu Dhabi, 10 May, 05 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak attended here this evening a ceremony to celebrate graduation of the 3rd batch of the Zayed University students, held at the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The ceremony was also attended by a number of Sheikhas, academics and wives of the diplomats based in the UAE.

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Sheikha Fatima attends Zayed University's graduation ceremony 1st add

May 10, 2005 Sheikha Fatima attends Zayed University's graduation ceremony 1st add X X XUAE Sheikha Fatima was accompanied Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail Al Mazrouie, wife of H.H. the President, Sheikha Shamsa bint Mohabmad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, wife of Sh