http://www.sis.gov.eg/women/nology/html/nology.htm

Arab

613-678

Religious leader - favorite wife of Mohammed (PBUH)

http://www.asifpk.com/islamicper-aishah.html

Egyptian

1928-

Diplomat and Professor of Law

• educated in Cairo and Paris
• second woman to be appointed to the Egyptian Cabinet 1971
• Minster of Social Affairs and Social Insurance 1971-77
• first Egyptian woman to be appointed as an ambassador for Egypt
• Ambassador to Denmark 1979-81
• Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany 1981-4
• Professor of International Law, University of Cairo

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.468

http://www.sis.gov.eg/women/nology/html/nology.htm

Egyptian

1913 - 1998

Writer and University Professor

• Educated at Cairo University.
• Began career as assistant lecturer at Cairo University in 1939
• became Professor of Arabic Literature and Chair Univ. Coll for women in 1962.
• Publications include: Rissalet el Ghofram by Abul Ala'a 1950, New Values in Arabic Literature 1961, The Koran: Literary Interpretation 1962, Ibn Seeda's Arabic Dictionary 1962, Contemporary Arab Women Poets 1963, as well as 2 novels and 4 volumes of short stories.

Source: The International who's who of women 2002 London: Europa Publications, 2002

http://www.arabworldbooks.com/authors/aisha_abdelrahman.html

http://www.mideastnews.com/aisha.htm

Amina Rizq 

Egyptian

b. 1910

Actor

• joined Wahbi's Ramsis troupe in 1924 and appeared in first film in 1928 Su'ad al-Ghajariyya/ Su'ad the Gypsy
• appeared in Egypt's first talking picture Awlad al Dhawatt/Sons of Aristocrats (1932)
• acted in an exaggerated, melodramatic style and usually appeared in supporting roles
• has appeared in over 100 films
• latest film Ard al Ahlam/Land of Dreams (1993)

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.121

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/455/cu4.htm

Emirati

b. 1961

Sister in law to Mohammed

http://www.asifpk.com/islamicper-aasma.html

Asmahan

(Amal al Atrache)

Syrian

b.1912 - 1944

Dancer/Singer

• born into an aristocratic family in the Druze mountains
• moved to Egypt in 1925 after her uncle led an uprising against the French mandate in Syria
• began to work as a singer with her mother Princess Alia at private parties, later began to sing in night clubs with her brother Farid al Atrash
• attracted the support of the Egyptian royal family
• In 1937, she recorded her first song Aleik Salat Allah (For you is the prayer of God)
• briefly married to Prince Hasan al Atrash
• In the 1940s, Asmahan recorded her masterpieces Ya Habibi Ta'ala Lhakni (My Love Come Follow Me, Majnoun Layla (Layla Fanatic), Layali al-Uns fi Vienna (Nights of Companionship in Vienna)
• rivallry with Umm Kulthum
• 1942 started to co-star with her brother Farid in Egyptian feature films like Intisar al-Shabab (Victory of Youth) and Gharam Wa Intikam (Love and Revenge)
• she stopped her performances feeling she was too aristocratic to sing in public
• alledged to have worked with the British Intelligence during World War II. Using her connections in the Druze Mountain, she even facilitated the entry of Allied forces into Syria, through the mountain, to expel the pro-German regime of General Henri Dentz
• died in a car accident in 1944

Source:http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/zuhasp.html

http://www.visit-syria.com/topic.htm

Assia Djebar

(real name Fatima-Zohra Imalayen )

Algerian

b.1936

Novelist, poet, film director

• first Algerian woman to be admitted to the prestigious Ecole Normale Superieure de Sevres in Paris
• first novel "La Soif" published in 1957, she has since published numerous novels and collections of stories, a collection of poems and the essay "Chronicle of an Algerian Summer" (1993)
• directed "La nouba des femmes du Mont Chenoua"/Noubat Nissa Jabal Chnouwwa in 1978. This innovative film explores time, legend and collective memory as it weaves together the stories of the various characters
• Zerda wa Aghani al-Nisyan/The Zerda and the songs of forgetfulness (1982) is a personal work which views women's place in history and society and focuses on music as a factor of Maghreb life
• 1990 co-directs Femmes en mouvement/Women on the move

http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/Djebar.html

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/djebar.htm

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.463

Attiyat Al-Abnudi

Egyptian

b. 1939

Film maker

• educated at Higher Film Institute and London Film School
• director of over 20 film and video documentaries
• first film produced in 1971 Husan al-Tin/Horse of Mud
• 1989 film Iqa 'al Haya/Rhythm of Life most clearly exemplifies her style and interests
• one of few independent film-makers in Egypt
• many of her films are concerned with women, notably Bihar al-Attash/Seas of thirst (1981), al-Ahlam al-Mumkinna/Permissible Dreams (1982), Rawya (1994), Nisa' Mas'ulat/Responsible Women (1995).
• 1996 films a full length documentary Ayam al-Dimuqratiyya /Days of Democracy which covers the problems surrounding female participation in Egyptian parliamentary elections.

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.89

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/429/bk2_429.htm

http://www.cairotimes.com/content/culture/abnudi.html

Emirati

b. 1974

Artist / Business woman

• educated at Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai (Banking and Finance) and St. Antony's College, Oxford
• exhibited in group exhibitions in United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, China, United Kingdom
• works in mixed, collage, prints and oil on canvas

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

http://www.khaleejtimes.co.ae/ktarchive/080502/uae.htm

Legal and environmental consultant

• graduated from Cairo University and University College London
• 1979-88 Dean of Faculty of Law and Sharia, Cairo University
• 1983 -1993 appointed as Deputy Director to the Regional Organisation for the protection of Marine Environment in the Arabian Gulf Region
• consultant to Red Cross on Application of International Humanitarian Law
• member of the task force on international terrorism
• 2000 challenges Kuwait's electoral law which denies women the right to vote

http://www.ibanet.org/News/NewsItem.asp?newsID=36

Badriya Al-Tamimi

Business woman

• graduated from Dubai Civil Aviation College in Business Administration
• worked at SOS, an international recruitment agency
• acting manager for Dubai Quality Group

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/people-places.asp?ArticleID=60674

Mohammed's nurse

http://www.asifpk.com/islamicper-barakah.html

Batool al Fekaiki

Iraqi

b. 1952

Artist

• educated at Institute of Baghdad
• exhibited works solo and in groups in Iraq, Kuwait, Italy, France, Spain, Jordan, Brazil, UK, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, and Germany
• works in oil on canvas and drawing

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

http://www.middleeastuk.com/culture/art/dialogues/artists.htm

Algerian

1934 -2000

Diplomat

• educated at University of Algiers
• Minister Plenipotentairy, and Deputy Chief Div of International Organizations and Chief of Service for Multilateral Co-operation 1971-77
• Deputy Permanent Representative to UN in charge of UNCTAD 1977-81
• Deputy Secretary General to Third Women's World Conference 1983-5
• Director of Division for Advancement of Women 1981-87
• Director for Division for Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries and Special Programmes

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.374

Egyptian/Roman

b.69 B.C.

Queen of Egypt

http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/cleopatr.html

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/Alexandria/History/cleo.html

Politian

• established first Egyptian women's political party "Bint al Nil" (Daughters of the Nile) in 1948

http://www.sis.gov.eg/women/nology/html/nology.htm

Emily NASRALLAH

Lebanese

1931

Writer

• educated at Shoueifat National College, Beruit Univeristy College and American Univeristy of Beriut
• wrote for Al Sayyad magazine and Al-Anwar newspaper 1955-70
• writer and editor Fayruz magazine 1981-87
• ECWA delegate to UN Women's Forum on Population 1974
• awarded Khalil Gbran Prize, Arab Heritage Union in Australia 1991
• publishes novels and non-fiction

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.399

http://web.cyberia.net.lb/pnsralah/cv.htm

Iranian

1963-

Politian and Sportswoman

• educated Al-Zahra University and Islamic Azad University (Tehran)
• Member of Majlis e-Shura e Islami 1996-
• member of Central Council of the Communications Network of Women's NGOs
• Vice-President of National Olympic Committee 1990-
• Founder and President of Islamic Countries Women Sports Solidarity Council 1991- which organized the Islamic Countries' Women Sports Solidarity Games in 1993 and 1997
• published The First Meeting 1991
• managing director of Zanan (a women's journal)

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.236

International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports ed. Karen Christensen et al. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001 p.587

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/awardswin2002/index.php?page=hashemi

http://www.netiran.com/Htdocs/Clippings/DPolitics/970608XXDP01.html

Farah Diba PAHLAVI

Iranian

1938

Ruler's wife

• educated Jeanne d'Arc school, Razi school (Teheran) and Ecole Speciale d'Architecture (Paris)
• Married Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi 1959
• left Iran 1979 after revolution
• former patron of Farah Pahlavi Association and Iran Cultural Foundation

http://www.farahpahlavi.org/

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.430

Farida Benlyazid

Morocco

b.1948

Film maker

• educated at IDHEC in Paris
• worked as journalist and writer
• wrote scripts for Sharkhum fi-l Hai'it (1978) and Arais Min Qasab (1981) for her husband, director Jillali Ferhati
• directs her first feature film in 1987 bab al-Sama' Maftuh/Gateway to Heaven
• wrote script for Badis (1988) and Bahthan an zawj imra'ati (1993)
• owns Tingitania Films, a film production company

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.484

http://www.nawff.com/filmmakers.htm

Mohammed's daughter

http://www.asifpk.com/islamicper-fatimamoh.html

Emirati

b. 1963?? 1930's ??

Ruler's wife and Humanitarian

Wife of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan

• founded first women's society in Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Women's society in 1973
• creates UAE Women's Federation in 1975. It's aims are to ceate the opportunity for all women to realize their full potential through education,and the workplace
• The Marie Curie Medal was awarded to Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, UAE First Lady, in December 1999 by UNESCO
• UNICEF has offered H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak , wife of H.H. the President and head of the Women’s Union , the prize of the 2001 personality that cares for children’s health , in recognition of her Highness’s promotion of care for children in the UAE .

http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/women.htm

Algerian

Playwright

• educated at University of Algiers, Paris VIII, and Cinematheque (Algiers)
• Arletty Prize for Drama in French 1990
• AMIC Prize Academie Francaise 1994
• Plays include Les co-epouses, La fete virile, Molly des sables, Au coeur,le brulure, Les riches de l'hiver, Le secret des vielles

Fatima IBRAHIM

Sudanese

1934

Feminist

• studied journalism
• teacher
• President of Sudanese Women's Union
• Editor in Chief Sawt Al-mara'ah (Women's Voice)
• First woman Member of Parliament in Sudan 1965
• House arrest following coup d'etat in 1969. Released in 1983
• elected President of Women's International Democratic Federation 1991
• Member of Central Committee of Sudanese Communist Party
• United Nations Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Human Rights in 1993.
  

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Heroes/Fatima_Ibrahim.html

http://www.amnestyusa.org/feats/handsunbound/ibrahim.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.264

Egyptian

1935-

Moroccan

1941

Sociologist and writer

• educated University of Paris (Sorbonne)
• Professor at University Mohammed V (Rabat)
• published Fear of Modernity or the Political Harem, Dreams on the threshold

http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing/salaprensa/noticias/noticia355.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.374

Egyptian

b. 1908

Actor

• a pioneer of Egyptian cinema, as an actress, producer and director
• began her career in theatre and became known as the "Sarah Berhardt of the Orient" because she performed many of the same classical roles as Berhardt
• founded her own theatre troupe
• first appeared on screen in 1928 in Faji'a Fawq al-haram/Disaster on the Pyramids
• most famous film was al-Azima/Determination (1939)
• last role was in Da'uni A'ish/Let me Live (1955)
• 1933 directed her first and only film al-Zawaj/The marriage

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.122

Egyptian

b. 1931

Actor

• called "The First Lady of Arab Cinema'
• first film role in 1940 Yawm Sa'id /Happy Day
• originally played helpless and vulnerable middle or upper class girls involved in emotional entanglements as in Lahn al Khulud/Song of eternity (1952)
• later in career she played rural or working class women, most impressively in al-Haram/ The Sin (1965)
• latest film was Ard al-Ahlam/Land of Dreams (1993) in which she played a mother who is asked by her children to emigrate to the United States to help them obtain visas

http://www.arab-celebs.com/profile.asp?id=37

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.116

Fayrouz

(Nuhad Haddad)

Lebanese

b. 1935

Singer and Actor

• studied at the National Conservatoire of Music (Lebanon)
• married composer Assi Rahbani in 1955
• Assi and his brother Mansour composed more than 300 songs and musical comedies for Fayrouz
• appeared in several films including Bayya al Khawatim/The Seller of Rings (1965), which had an acclaimed musical score and coherent story; and Bint al haris/Daughter of the Guardian (1968),
• her songs appear in nearly everyArab film made during the height of her popularity
• remained in Lebanon during the Civil War, a move which only increased her great popularity

http://www.fayrouz.org/

http://www.lebwa.org/life/fayrouz.php

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.388

Educator

• In 1994 she became the first woman to head a university in the Arab world.

Artist

• educated at Bagdad University
• now lives in Bahrain and the UK
• has exhibited work since 1987 in London, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Beijing, China
• works in acrylic, gold and watercolor on canvas and paper

http://wwol.is.asu.edu/al-adhamy.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Ghada Shouaa

Syrian

1973

Athlete (Heptathlon)

• member of Syrian national basketball team 1989-90
• came first in Hepathlon at Asian Games in 1994
• won gold at the Gotzis, Austria championship 1995
• won world championship in 1995
• won gold medeal in heptalon at the Olympic Games (Atlanta) 1996
• first Syrian to win Olympic gold medal
• retired in 2001 due to foot injury

http://www.cafe-syria.com/Sports.htm

http://www.shouaa.com/start.html

International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports ed. Karen Christensen et al. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001 p.1009

Googoosh

(real name Fa'egeh Atashin)

Iranian

b. 1950

Singer and actor

• began singing to earn a living in Tehran when only 5 years old
• first film role in 1958 in Bim va omid/Fear and Hope
• first successful role in the film Fereshteye Farari/Runaway Angel (1960) when she was 10
• her musical talents and ability to remain at the cutting edge of fashion supported her film career
• her popular films include Bita, Mah-e Asal/Honeymoon, Hamsafar, Mamal Amrikaie/Mamal the American, 3 Divaneh/3 Lunatics and the risque Dar Emtedad-e Shab/Through the night
• not allowed to perform on stage in Iran after the Revolution or to tour abroad and sing in public until 2000

http://www.googoosh.com/

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.214

Habiba Sultan Al Marashi

Environmentalist

• Chair of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), the U.A.E's first environmental venture which was started in 1991
• the world's only Non Governmental Organization (NGO) to receive the ISO 14001 certification for its commitment towards creating a "clean" and "pollution-free environment".
  

http://www.womenone.org/covergreen.htm

Algerian

1951

Writer and film maker

• campaigns for rights of women
• participant at Amiens Film Festival 1994 and International Women's Film Festival 1995
• publications include La fin d'un reve 1984 and Le passe decompose 1993 and Le mariage de jouissance
• film Le demon au feminin 1993

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.306

Hanan Ashrawi

Politician and academic

• graduated from American University of Beirut and University of Virginia
• Spokesperson for Palestinian Liberation Organization
• 1996 member of Palestinian Legislative Council
• 1996-98 Minister for Higher Education
• Human Rights Commissioner for Palestine
• 2001- Media Director and Spokesperson for Arab League
• 1974 - activist for Palestinian women's movement
• publications "A passion for peace" (1994), "This side of peace" (1995)

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/Elberg/Ashrawi/Ashrawi.html

http://www.un.org/Dialogue/ashrawi

Algerian

1968

Athlete (Middle Distance Runner)

• won the 800 and 1500 meter African championships in 1988-9
• participated in Olympic Games (Seoul) 1988
• wins world championship in 1500 meters in 1991 and 1995
• wins Gold medal in 1500 meters at Olympic Games (Barcelona) 1992
• first Algerian to win an Olympic gold medal
• participated in Olympic Games (Atlanta) 1996
• elected to International Olympic Committee's(IOC) Athletes' Commission 1996
• serves on the Algerian National Olympic Committee's Althletes' Commission and on the IOC's Women and Sport Working Group 2000-

http://www.africaexpert.org/people/profiles/profilesforperson10860.html

International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports ed. Karen Christensen et al. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001 p.162

Haya bint al Hussein (Princess)

Jordanian

b. 1974

Athlete

• daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Alia
• educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford University,Honors degree MA. B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
• President of the Queen Alia Foundation dealing with speech and hearing impaired individuals
• President and Founder of the Jordanian International Athletes Cultural Association which promotes and supports Jordanian athletes to the international level
• She is the Honorary President of the Land Transport and Mechanical Union. Also the first and only woman to date with a licence to drive heavy vehicles and articulated trucks
• honorary president of the Children’s Dental Health Care Society. (SMILE) which provides dental care to under privileged children
• President of The Haya Arts and Cultural Centre for Child Development,
• She is carrying out Research by Royal Decree of HM King Abdullah II to expand physical education programmes at elementary school level throughout the Jordanian Kingdom in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.
• Since the age of thirteen (1986) Princess Haya has represented her country as an international athlete. In 1993 she was voted “Athlete of the Year” by the Jordanian public, in her chosen sport of Equestrian Games.
• In 1994 she was voted “Athlete of the Year” by the Arab BBC Radio.
• In 1992 she was individual bronze medallist in the Pan Arab Games held in Damascus, Syria, and remains the only woman, in any discipline, to ever win a Pan Arab Medal in Equestrian Games.
• 1994-1996 created an International Competing Team, called “Team Harmony”, which consisted of two riders (Princess Haya and Paul Darragh.), twelve international horses and three members of staff. In 1996 Team Harmony registered the highest number of international wins of any Irish based team, 33 international classes and 6 international Grand Prix and one world cup qualifier.
• 1996 Team Harmony received the award from the Spanish Federation Oscar Awards, for the team that excelled in highlighting the profile of the show jumping sport.

• In September 2000 Princess Haya competed in the Sydney Olympic Games riding her horse “Lucilla II”. In entering this event, Princess Haya was the youngest Arab athlete ever to compete in an Equestrian discipline; the first Arab woman to compete in Olympic Equestrian Games and the first member of an Arab Royal family to compete in any Olympic Games.

  In August 2001 Princess Haya qualified for the World Championships (WEG) due to take place in 2002 in Jerez in Spain.

• represented Jordan, on an administrative level, on the International Equestrian Federation, (FEI) from 1992 to 1996 when she was Chairperson of the Middle East and Western Asian Sub Group of this Federation. During this time she established and created the foundation for the eradication of “piroplasmosis” which effects the horse population in various Arab countries and has prevented over the years an effective International Circuit for Arab Riders. As a result nearly all countries in her subgroup now have disease free status.

• awaiting the publication of her first book due to be released in 2002 concerning horse sports and written in the Arabic language. She is already working on her second book, a biography of her father the late King Hussein.

http://www.teamharmony.net/e_biography.html

Politian

• the first woman appointed to the Egyptian Cabinet 1962
• became the Minister for Social Affairs, serving until 1965

http://www.sis.gov.eg/women/nology/html/nology.htm

Lebanese

1923-

Artist and writer

• educated at Lebanese Academy of Fine Art
• teacher of Fine Art at American University of Beruit
• Founder of Gallery One 1963
• writer for the Daily Star
• author of The Women Artists in Lebanon; Prepared for the Institute of Women's Studies in the Arab World

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p. 295

Houda Al Naamani

Poet and lawyer

• graduated from University of Damascus and Cornell University
• publications include Ilayka (1970), Anamli...Laa (1971), Ru'ya 'ala Arsh (1989), Huda ... Ana al haq (1990)

http://wwww.poetsagainstthewar.org/displaypoem.asp?AuthorID=14166

Tunisian

1940-

Politian

• educated at Universitie des lettres,, des Arts et des Sciences Humaines (Tunis)
• Deputy Mayor of Sfaz 1975-80
• General Secretary of Feminine Youth 1974-81
• Member of Central Committee Consitutional Democratic Rally 1988-
• Member of Assemblee Nationale (Parliament) 1989-
• 2000 appointed Tunisian ambassador to Switzerland

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.285

Algerian

b.1948

Artist

• educated at National School of Tixeraine, Algiers,and Croydon College of Art and Design, London
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Algeria, France, United Kingdom, United States, and United Arab Emirates since 1984
• 1984 became First Artist in Residence at Riverside Studios, London
• works in mixed, installation, performance, painting and drawing

http://people.cornell.edu/pages/sh40/Niati.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Huda Sh'arawi

Egyptian

1879-1947

Politician and feminist

• 1919 led demonstrations of veiled women in support of the Egyptian nationalist cause. These were the first demonstrations of their kind in Egypt.
• 1923 attended the meeting of the International Alliance for Women in Rome. She, and the rest of the Egyptian delegation, returned to Egypt unveiled.
• 1923 establishes The Egyptian Feminist Union in Cairo
• Arab Feminist Union was founded in Cairo in 1944 and she was elected president

http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/Shaarawi.html

http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/shaarawi.html

http://www.sis.gov.eg/women/nology/html/nology.htm

Egyptian

b. 1954

Film Director

• educated at the Higher Film Institute
• directed 11 full length feature films to become the most successful Egyptian woman director of mainstream cinema
• films combine focus on women, spectacular plots and mise-en-scene
• stresses the active role of women and heroines often struggle successfully against social discrimination and sexual exploitation
• films include "Afwan Ayuha al-Qunun/Excuse me Law! (1985), al-Qatilla/The Murderess (1992), Disco Disco (1994), Lahm Rakhis/Cheap Flesh (1995), Imra'a Wahida LaTakfi/One woman is not enough (1990) Istakusa/Lobster (1996) and Dantilla/Lace (1998)

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.96

Iranian

1939-

Professor

• educated at Universities of Teheran and Shiraz
• school teacher 1958-74
• Associate Professor and researcher 1976-96
• published 6 books and 30 articles

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.284

Iraqi

1966 -

Artist

• educated at Byam Shaw school of Art
• University of Westminster
• Royal College of Art, M.A. in Photography
• has exhibited since 1989 in London, and Poland
• works in photographs and video installation

http://www.daniellearnaud.com/jananne.htm

http://www.identinet.net/html/jananne.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Egyptian

b.1933

Humanitarian, educator

• married to President Anwar Sadat until his death in 1981
• Master's degree in Arabic Literature from Cairo University
• established the Talla Society to promote women's education and training and to support women's handicrafts
• founded a city for handicapped war veterans
• professor of International Studies at University of Maryland since 1973
• 1984 Women's International Center gives her the Living Legacy Award and establishes the Jehan Sadat Peace Award
• published her autobiography "A Woman of Egypt"

http://www.wic.org/bio/jsadat.htm

Sudanese

b. 1939

Artist

• educated at the College of Fine and Applied Art, Khartoum, Royal College of Art (London) in mural painting, lithography, typography, illustration
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in United States of America, Brazil, Sudan, Nigeria, Tunis, Egypt, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Jordan since 1962
• works in oil on canvas, acrylic on paper

http://people.cornell.edu/pages/sh40/Ishaq.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Arab

564-619

Religious leader - wife of Mohammed

• Mohammed had been employed by the widow Khadijah and she became his first wife. She encouraged him to act on his religious visions and supported his establishment of Islam in 622 AD

Source: Chronology of women worldwide Detroit: Gale Research Group, 1997

Lebanese Jordanian

Politian and Journalist

• educated at American Univeristy of Beruit
• editor, newscaster, interviewer TV News Department, Lebanon 1962-5
• moved to Jordan 1965
• member of Consultative Committee on the Theatre, Minstry of Culture 1976-9
• member of National Consultative Council 1982-4
• Minister of Information 1984-5
• member of Jordan Board of Education 1984-5
• founder member and President of Cerebal Palsy Foundation 1977-9
• member of Board of Trustees of University of Jordan 1981-5
• involved with The Royal Endownment for Culture and Education, Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, Arab Organization for Human Rights, Arab Thought Forum

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.522

http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?cntDisplay=10&ID=200

'Uqail

d.704

Poet

• poems record the life and conduct of her family and lament the dead in the tradition of women's poetry in pre and early Islamic society
• some poems honor the caliphs and others are exchanges with other poets, a style normally associated with male poets of the time
• many poems are grieving for fellow poet Tauba ibn Humayyar (d.674). She was criticized for her defense of Tauba who was executed as a criminal by the Umayyad authorities

http://www.tl.infi.net/~ddisse/laila.html

Palestinian

b. 1940

Artist

• educated at the Leonardo da Vinci School of Art, Cairo, Academia de Belle Arte, Rome and Accademia St Giaccomo, Rome
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in London, Malaysia, Jordan, France, United States, and Kuwait
• works in silk screen, oil on canvas and sculpture
• best known work "Wall of Gaza"

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999

http://wwol.inre.asu.edu/al-shawa.html

Moroccan

b. 1930

Diplomat

• Ambassador to United Kingdom 1965-9
• Ambassador to Itay 1969-73
• President of the Moroccan Red Crescent

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.315

Lebanese

1929 -

Lawyer and Activist

• educated University Saint Joseph (Beruit)
• Member of Committee of Political Rights of Lebanese Women 1949-53
• Committee for Equality in Inheritance 1955-9
• Founder member of Lebanese Association of Jurist Women, Lebanese Association for Human Rights and Non-Violence Movement
• Vice-President of Arab Women Federation
• member of UNESCO National Committee
• Awarded Lebanese Merit Decoration

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.382

http://www.kleudge.com/moghaizelfoundation/lauremoghaizel.htm

Layla Murad

Egyptian

1918 - 1995

Actress

• born to a Moroccan Jewish family
• converted to Islam 1946
• a leading Egyptian actress in the period between the two World Wars, nicknamed "The Cinderella of cinema'
• appeared in 27 musicals between 1938 and 1955
• first film was in Yahya al-Hubb/Long Live Love (1938)
• also appeared in melodramas such as Layla (1942), Shati' al Gharam/Beach of Love (1950)
• appeared in films produced and directed by her husband Anwar Wagdi such as Ghazal al Banat/ Girls Flirtation
• 1955 married Fatin Abd al-Whabbab, retired from cinema and later from singing

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.119

http://www.turath.org/Articles/Murad.htm

Iraqi

b. 1945

Artist

• educated at Manchester School of Art & Architecture and Corcoran School of Art, Washington D.C
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in United States of American, United Kingdom, Jordan and Greece since 1984
• works in mixed media, oil on canvas

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999

http://www.calresco.org/kawash/intro.htm

Magida El Roumi

Lebanese

b. 1956

Singer

• Daughter of Halim El Roumi
• Educated Lebanese University
• first recording Amm Bahlamak Ya Helm Ya Lenan (1975)
• only film to date "Awdet El Ebn El Dal" (Return of the Prodigal) 1976. Received Egyptian critics award
• 1977 released her first album Magida El Roumi Vol.1 (Widda)
• appeared at the Carthage Festival, Jarash Festival 1980

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.160

http://www.nagham.com/mediacenters/Majida/bio.htm

http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/easy/284/bio.htm#biography

MAHA GARGASH

Film maker

• University 1980 - in United States
• joined Dubai TV in 1994
• film director for Dubai TV, specializing in documenting arab traditions and culture
• director of "Arabesques" for Dubai TV
• won Top Female Employee award from Dubai Government 2000

http://www.womenone.org/facemaha08.htm

Iranian

1943-

Scientist - Molecular Biologist

• educated Teheran University, State University of New York and University of Pennsylvania
• Research Specialist and instructor 1974-
• Consultant to Univeristy of Tabriz and Teheran
• Research Service Award, National Institute of Health (USA)1982-5

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.295

Lebanese

b. 1952

Artist and writer

• educated at the American University of Beirut, Lebanese University, Morley College, London
• exhibited her sculptures solo and in groups in UK and Denmark
• 1998 publishes a collection of short stories called ‘Leaving Beirut, Women and the Wars Within’

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

http://www.middleeastuk.com/culture/artists/ghassoub-m/

Jordan

b. 1959

Film maker

• studied at the Cinema Department of San Francisco University
• co-directed and produced 5 documentaries with her husband, Jean Chamoun, which dealt with the situation in Lebanon during and after the Civil War
• directed several documentaries about Palestine including Atfal al Nar/Children of fire (1990), Hanan 'Ashrawi:Imra'a fi Zaman al Tahaddi/Hanan Ashrawi: a Woman in the time of confrontation (1995), Atfal Shatila/Children of Shatila (1999), Ahlam al-Manfa/Frontiers of dreams and fears (2001)

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.530

http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:beipLnP0oX0J:www.creativeresponseteam.net/docs/MaiMasri_bio.rtf+Mai+Masri&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8

http://www.facets.org/

Artist

• educated at Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Casablanca
• has exhibited works in solo and group exhibitions since 1986 in Morocco, USA, Japan, Syria, Tunisia, Paris, Poland, Spain, and Iraq
• works in oil on canvas and etchings

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

http://wwol.is.asu.edu/agueznay.html

Maryam RAJAVI

Iranian

1953

Politician

• educated at Sharif University of Technology (Teheran)
• Leader of the anti-Shah movement
• Parlimentary candidate for Teheran in first post-revolution elections
• organized demonstrations against the Khomeini Gov't 1980-1
• Joint leader of the Mojahedin 1985 and Secretary-General of that organization 1989-93
• Deputy Commander in Chief of the National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA) 1987-93 and launched program for introduction of women in front line combat and combat pilots in 1987
• transformed NLA from infantry to armoured force 1989-93
• went into exile in France 1993
• President elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran - a parliament in exile 1993-
• proposed platform for international women's alliance against fundamentalism 1993
• international campaigner for women's rights 1993-
• voted one of The Times (UK)100 Most Powerful Women 1996

http://www.iran-e-azad.org/english/president.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.465

Marzieh

Iranian

1924-

Singer

• educated College of Esmatieh (Teheran) and National Music Association of Iran
• singer of traditional and classical Iranian music
• performs in concerts in Iran before 1979 revolution
• refused to sing in Iran after 1979
• came to Europe 1994
• distinguished for her innovation in and influence on Persian music
• awarded US Congressional Record 1995

http://www.iran-e-azad.org/mz/mzprofile.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.366

Iranian

1961

Politian

• Educated at Martyr Beheshti University and Tarbiat Modarres, PhD. Immunology 1995
• spokesperson for students who occupied the American Embassy in Tehran
• University Professor
• Newspaper editor
• Acting head of NGO Bureau of Women's Affairs
• first female Vice President of Iran's Environmental Protection Agency 1997-

http://www.nipc.net/99_conf/ebtekar.html

http://www.talonbooks.com/Books/Takeover.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.157

Iraqi/American

b. 1955

Artist

• educated at Baghdad University, B.Sc. Architecture
• exhibited solo and in groups in London, Brazil, Iraq, USA, United Arab Emirates, France
• works in ceramics and mixed media on board and canvas

http://www.iraqipapers.com/interview1.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Egyptian

1937-

Politian and Diplomat

• educated at American University of Cairo, Institute for Diplomatic Studies (Cairo) and Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva)
• joined Minstry of Foreign Affairs 1963
• Deputy Director of Department of International Organizations 1985-8
• Director of International Ecomonic Department 1991
• Assistant Minister for International Political and Economic Affairs 1992-3
• Ambassador to Austria 1988-91
• Ambassador to Japan 1993-7
• Minister for Insurance and Social Affairs of Egypt (1997-1999),
• member and delegate to numerous UN councils and committees including UN Environment Conference, and Commission on the Status of Women
• Secretary General of the Egyptian National Council for Women
• Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) 2001

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2000/20001122.sga751.doc.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.561

Mona al Marri

Journalist

• Managing Director of the Dubai Press Club
• graduated from Higher Colleges of Technology (Dubai) in 1996
• 1997 Media and Public Relations manager of first Dubai Shopping Festival
• 1998 becomes project manager of Dubai Summer Surprises for the Dubai Economic Department
• 2000? Managing Director of Dubai Press Club

http://www.alshindagah.com/jan2001/4.html

Egyptian

Politian and Professor

• educated Harvard University, University of Cairo and American University of Cairo
• Professor of Political Science and Political Sociology
• Member of People's Assmbly (Parliament) 1990-95
• Founder member of Arab Organization for Human Rights
• Advisor to World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa 1992
• Fulbright Scholar 1981 & 1983
• Chevalier de la Legion d"honneur 1994
• Commandeur de la Pleaide 1995

http://www.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/Makram-Ebeid%20Mona

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.357

Politician and Professor of Medicine

• Secretary of State for Social Advancement 1989-92
• Secretar of State for Women's Affairs and the Family 1992-3
• Professor of Preventative and Social Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis 1993-4
• President and Director-General of National Office of the Family and Population, Ministry of Health 1994-

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.222

http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/1196/9611072.htm

Egyptian

b .1940

Actor

• Egypt's best paid female star known for her belly dancing, and seductive gestures and clothing
• first role in Jamila al-Jaza'iriyya /Jamila the Algerian (1958) and first starring role was in the biography Bamba Kashar (1974)
• usually plays femme fatales and social climbers but later in life played patriotic and courageous heroines
• films include al-Batniyya (1980), al-Khadima/The servant 91984), Muhimma Fi Tall-Abib/Mission in Tel Aviv (1992), al Jasusa Hikmat Fahmi/The spy Hikmat Fahmi (1994) and Imra'a Hazat Arsh Misr/A woman shook Egypt's Throne (1995)

Lebanese

1936-

Artist

• educated at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts, National School of Fine Arts (Paris), and Grande Chaumiere Academie
• Professor of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts 1962-74 and Institute of Fine Arts, University of Lebanon 1965-74
• Scholarship to study art of mural tapestry, Paris 1974-6
• group and solo exhbitions internationally 1960-73

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.503

Egyptian

1932-1966

Actor and dancer

• circus artist, dancer and lead actress in 22 films
• one of the most talented film dancers of her era
• often appeared in light musical comedies, many of which were directed by her husband Husain Fawsi
• usually played a poor but talented performer who wanted to become famous and was caught in a romance
• most successful films were Lahalibo (1949), Baba Aris/Daddy as a Bridegroom (1950), Fatat al-Sirk (Circus Girl) 1951, tamr Hinna/Tamarind (1957) and Baya'it al-Gara'id/The Newspaper Vendor

http://www.belly-dance.org/naima-akef.html

http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/bdstars.htm

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.111

Emirati

b. 1956

Artist

• educated at College of Fine Art, Cairo, (M.A)
• first woman to be awarded a government scholarship to study art outside the UAE
• 1997 became first artist from the UAE to gain a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Sudan, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Germany, United States, Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan and France since 1986
• works in mixed media on canvas and sculpture
• teaches art at the Dubai Women's Association and at the National Youth Theatre and Arts workshops
• works as an art supervisor for the Ministry of Education

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

NAILA AL MOOSAWI

Air Traffic Controller

• educated at Aviation College, Dubai
• first female air traffic controller in UAE
• first female site manager at ENOC

http://www.womenone.org/face05.htm

Jordanian

b.1937

Humanitarian

• Voluntary work including establishment of schools, playgrounds, road maintenance, and developing jobs for young people.

Source: The International who's who of women 2002 London: Europa Publications, 2002

Nawal EL MOUTAWAKEL

Moroccan

1962

Athlete (Hurdles)

• educated at Iowa State University (USA) 1983-
• dominated national and regional 100 and 400m hurdle competitions in the early 1980s
• won Gold medal at Olympic Games in Los Angles 1984
• first arab woman to win an Olympic Gold medal
• first Moroccan to win an Olympic Gold medal
• retired from competition 1987 after a knee injury
• sprint and hurdle coach in Morocco
• organized first women's road race in Casablanca in 1993
• became member of the executive board of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (track and field) 1995
• became member of the International Olympic Committee 1998-

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawal_El_Moutawakel

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/030206/2003020606.html

International Encyclopedia of Women and Sports ed. Karen Christensen et al. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001 p.362

Egyptian

b.1931

Writer, feminist, sociologist, medical doctor

• 1955 graduated from University of Cairo with degree in psychiatry.
• becomes Egypt's Director of Public Health
• 1972 publishes "Women and Sex". This highly controversial work results in her dismissal from the Ministry of Health, from the post of Chief Editor of a health journal, and from her position as Assistant General Secretary in the Medical Association of Egypt
• 1973-76 researched women and neurosis in Ain Shams University
• 1977 publishes most famous work "The Hidden Face of Eve"
• 1979-80 appointed as United Nations Advisor for the Women's Program in Africa and the Middle East
• 1981 formed the Arab Women's Solidarity Association
• 1981 imprisioned and books banned
• 1983 publishes "Memoirs from a women's prison" an account of her imprisonment under Anwar Sadat
• 1992 moved to United States
• 1993-96 Writer in Residence at Duke University, and taught at Washington State University

http://www.nawalsaadawi.net/bio.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.160

Iraqi

b. 1923

Poet

Egyptian

1949

Artist

• educated at University of Cairo and American Univeristy (Cairo)
• Economic expert for Industrial Development Center for Arab States
• Published Egyptian women and artistic creativity 1989

http://www.sis.gov.eg/egyptinf/culture/html/nazli1.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.355

Nazli Gad EL MAWLA

Egyptian

1928 - 2001

Doctor

• educated at the University of Cairo, M.D 1961
• pioneer of oncology in Egyptian medical field
• 1970 she founded the Department of Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, Egypt
• professor of Oncology 1977- 1989

http://www.inctr.org/publications/2001_v01_n04_s03.shtml

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.194

Kuwati

1982?

Fashion Designer

• Educated at The American College (London)
• Founded Nejoud Boodai Fashion Design Ltd, London, 1995

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.69

Athlete

• 2001 General Secretary of the Syrian Olympic Committee (1983-2000), was awarded the Olympic Order by the IOC. She is the first woman in the Arab Region to gain this honour.

http://www.canada2002.org/e/progress/worldwide/chapter3_asia.htm

Nuha Mohammed Safar

Emirati

b. 1980

Business woman

• Head of Events and Promotional Campaigns, Foreign Relations Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Graduated from Higher Colleges of Technology in Business Adminstration.
• part of the team that organized the first Dubai Summer Surprises campaign
• Youngest section head at DCCI.

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/people-places.asp?ArticleID=60151

Source: Zahra Al Mulla - DWC

Raja Easa Al Gurg

Emirati

b. 1953

Teacher / Business woman

• graduated from Kuwait University in 1977 with degree in English Literature
• first worked at the Ministry of Education, UAE as a teacher then as a deputy head mistress
• 1990 she began work for her father's Al Gurg companies,
• now responsible for 29 companies and 3000 employees
• President of the Business Women's Committee under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/people-places.asp?ArticleID=54410

Rakhshan Banietemad

Iranian

b. 1954

Film maker

• educated at Tehran University's Dramatic Arts College
• 1979-1986 mades several short films and worked as a planning manager and assistant director on a number of feature films
• her feature films include Kharj az mahdudeh/Off-Limits (1987), Zarde-eQanari/Canary Yellow (1989), Bany-ye Ordibhesht/ The May Lady (1997).

http://www.irangasht.co.uk/cin-banietemad.htm

Jordanian/French

1952-

Journalist

• educated French Lycee, Rio de Janerio and University of Beruit
• Correspondent of Agence France Press
• Director and Head AFP Office, Amman 1987-
• Correspondent Radio Monte Carlo 1988-

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.226

Rania al Abdullah

Palestinian

b. 1970

Queen of Jordan

• Born in Kuwait
• Graduates with Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from American University in Cairo in 1991
• worked in banking and information technology
• Married King Abdullah of Jordan on June 10 1993
• 3 children Hussein, Iman, Salma
• involved in charity work, especially the Jordan River Children's Project established in 1995
• first arab woman to launch a Child Abuse Prevention Project
• President of the Jordan Society for Organ Donation
• Head of Jordan Blood Disease Society and International Patron of the Osteoporosis Foundation
• Honorary Doctorate from University of Exeter 2001

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.466

www.queenrania.jo

Politian and educator

• graduated University of Birmingham, and Yale University
• 1985-91 Vice Rector Kuwait University
• 1989- Under Sectretary Ministry of Higher Education
• Named International Woman of the Year for 1996-1997 by the International Biographical Center (IBC) in Cambridge

http://www.kuwait-info.org/women.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/14_01_02/friday/info2.shtml (audio)

Jordanian

b. 1955

Artist

• educated at Cambridge School of Art, U.K.
• exhibited in solo and group exhibitions since 1984 in London, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Japan, USA, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon
• works in etching and monprint

http://wwol.inre.asu.edu/farah.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Rima Khalaf HUNAIDI

Politian

• educated at American University of Beruit and Portland State University (Ohio) Ph.D
• Minister of Industry and Trade 19?
• Deputy Prime Minister 19?
• Senator of Jordanian Upper House
• Member of Jordanian Economic Consultative Council
• Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States 2000 -

http://www.undp.org.ye/rima.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.260

Lebanese

Writer

• educated at the American University of Beruit
• teacher of Arabic and History
• Editor and Consultant for Al Raida, quarterly newsletter of Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World
• writer of books, poems and plays for children
• publications include The Harem Window, Sisterhood is Global, Adwa' Ala al-Haraka al-Nissaiya al-Mua'asirah

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.204

Lebanese

b. 1950

Artist

• educated at St Martins College of Art and Design, London
• exhbited works solo and in groups in Lebanon, Uk and France
• 1995 Artist in Residence, Small Mansions Art Center, London

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Sabiha Khemir

Tunisian

b. 1959

Artist

• educated at London University (PhD in Islamic Art and Archaeology) and University of Pennsylvania, Post Doctoral Fellow in the History of Art Departmen
• exhibited works in France, United Kingdom, and United States.
• illustrative work includes
• 1994 The Island of Animals Quartet, London
• 1978 Le Nuage Amoureux, Maspero, Paris
• 1975 L'Ogresse Maspero, Paris
• 1993 published first novel Waiting in the future for the past to come

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Sahar AL HAWARI

Sportswoman

• established the Egyptian Association for Women's Football 1994
• organized first Arab Women's Football Tournament in 1997
• president of first Arab Women's Football League
• first woman to be member of Egyptian Football Association
• her committment to sport has led her to become a sporits commentator, sports manager and referee

http://66.218.71.225/search/cache?p=egyptian+women%27s+football+association&ei=UTF-8&vm=i&n=20&fl=0&url=24kT-74aDuoJ:multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/fr_report_207.pdf

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/454/sp2.htm

Salima GHEZALI

Algerian

1958 -

Journalist

• editor in chief of La Nation weekly newspaper 1994 - 1996, 2001 -
• La Nation was closed by the Algerian goverment 1996 -2001 and Salima was arrested and detained
• International Press Club Award 1996
• 1997 awarded the Sakahrov Prize by the European Parliament
• 1989 founded the Association for Women's Emancipation,
• created the feminist magazine "Nyssa"
• one of the founding members of "Women of Europe and of the Maghreb", of which she is vice-president.

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.204

http://www.poptel.org.uk/aries/women/archive/msg00156.html

http://www.newint.org/issue306/interview.htm

Lebanese

1916

Artist

• educated at American University of Beruit, National School of Fine Art and Grande Chaumiere Academie (Paris)
• held the first exhibition of abstract art in the Arab world (1947)
• Exhibitions 1947, Paris 1951, Beruit 1951-62, retrospective 1974
• Court of Justice prize 1963
• Ministry of Tourism Prize 1966
• Alexandria Biennale Prize 1968
• National Prize of Sculpture 1971
• Sursock Museum Prize 1965, 1966, 1967, 1973

http://wwol.is.asu.edu/choucair.html

http://www.awsa.net/art_essay.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.103

Palestinian

1923-

Activist

• educated Beruit Arab University
• Founder of Arab Union Society 1950
• El-Bireh 1952
• Secretary-General of Union of Palestinian Women in Jerusalem 1965
• Founder and President of Society of In'ash El Usra, a training center for women, El Bireh 1965
• Head of Palestinian delegation to UN Conference on the Status of Women 1995
• President of Union of Voluntary Women's Societies
• published From the Intifada to the State 1988

http://www.sabeel.org/news/newslt18/tarazi.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.295

Samia Gamal

real name Zaynab Khalil Ibrahim

Egyptian

1924-1994

Actor

• actress and dancer
• first film Mamu' al-Hubb/Forbidden Love (1942)
• first starring role was in Ahmar Shafayif/red Lipstick (1946) in which she played a femme fatale
• usually played a beautiful but innocent woman
• often teamed in comedic style with the singer Farid al-Atrash
• films include "Afrita Hanim/Lady Ghost (1949), Akhir Kidba/The last lie (1950), Ma Ti'ulsh Li-hadd/Don't tell Anybody (1952), Nashala hanim /Lady Pickpocket (1953) and Sukkar Hanim/Mrs Sugar (1960)

http://www.gobellydance.com/SamiaGamal.html

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.114

Samira MAKHMALBAF

Iranian

1980 -

Film director /actor

• first appeared on film in The Cyclist in 1987
• studied film at the Makhmalbaf Film House and began directing films and videos
• films include The Apple 1998, and
• Takhte Siah (Blackboard) 2000 which was the winner of a Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival

http://www.makhmalbaf.com/persons.asp?p=sa

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.357

Egyptian

b. 1931

Actor and singer

• first appeared in film in 1947 in al-Aql Fi Ajaza/The mind on vacation
• orignally typecast as innocent young girls in love but by 1960s was playing in light comedies and dramas such as Mirati Mudir 'am/My wife is a general director (1966), al Mar'a al Majhiula/The Unknown Woamn (1959) and al-Liss wal-Kilab/The thief and the dogs (1962)
• last film was La Tas'ahni Man Ana/Don't ask me who I am (1984)

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.123

Iranian

1946-

Researcher

• educated at University of Tehran
• Demographics researcher and lecturer
• contributes to Insitute for Social Studies and Research

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.28

Emirati

b. 1952

Author

• educated at UAE University
• director of Al Gubaiba secondary school
• pioneer of the short story in the UAE
• manager of the Emirates Organization of Women Writers
• Awarded Most Successful Teacher prize by Sheik Khalifa bin Zaued in 1997
• short stories include Soul's Broken, Night's Sadness, Departure, The North Wind,, Al Raheel

Emiratii

b. 1930s(?)

Humaniatarian / Wife of President of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan

• founded Abu Dhabi Women's Society in 1973, the first women's society in the UAE
• created the UAE Women's Federation in 1975 with the aim of creating the opportunity for women to realize their full potential in all aspects of life
• Chairperson of UAE Women's Federation

http://www.awc.org.jo/english/uae/downloads/GWUKiit.doc

Sheikha Lubna Bint Sultan Al Qasimi

Emirati

b. c.1959

Business woman

• Managing Director of Tejari.com
• Graduated with a Bachelor of Science from California State University, and an MBA from American University of Sharjah.
• Held the position of Dubai Branch Manager of the General Information Authority of the UAE Federal Government
• Held the position of senior manager of information systems at Dubai Ports Authority 1993-2000
• Heads the Dubai e-government team responsible for implementing electronic initatives in the public sector
• 2000 - Named IT Woman of the Year by Datamatrix

Source: Amna - DWC

http://www.womenone.org/faceslubna04.htm

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.461

Sherihan (Sherihan Ahmed Abd El Fatah Al Shalakani)

Egyptian

b. 1965

Singer

• member of a family famous in the entertainment field, the Khorshids.
• Dancer, singer, actress, playwright

Source: Nuha - DWC

http://www.yallabina.com/featured/featuredArticle.aspx?articleID=55

http://www.arab-celebs.com/profile.asp?id=81

Soad Hosny

Egyptian

b. 1941

Actor

• first film Hasan Wa Na'ima/Husan and Na'ima (1959)
• acts in a large variety of films from musicals such as Khalli Balak Min Zuzu/Take care of Zuzu to dramas such as Zawjatti Wa-l-Kalb/My wife and the Dog (1971) and Maw'id Ala al-Asha/Rendezvous for dinner (1981) and is considered one of the most talented Egyptian actresses
• latest film was al-Ra'i Wa-l-Nisa/The Shepherd and the woman (1991)

http://www.arab-celebs.com/profile.asp?id=80

http://www.egyptinsight.com/archives/july01/feature.html

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.117

Suzanne Mubarak

Humanitarian, First Lady of Arab Republic of Egypt

• graduated from American University of Cairo in 1977 with a Bachelors in Political Science and in 1982 with a Masters in Sociology
• married to President Hosni Mubarak
• active in the fields of development for women and children, health care and literacy
• Source
• http://www.sis.gov.eg/egyptinf/politics/preside/html/suzan.htm

Tahiyya Carioca

real name Badawiyya Muhammed Karim

Egyptian

1915-1999

Actor

• actress and belly dancer trained at Badia Masabni's variety theatre
• one of best and most beautiful dancers of her time
• 1935 appeared in her first film Dr Farhat
• 1942 first starring role in Uhib al Ghalat/I love the wrong
• most important early film Lu'bat al-Sitt/The Lady's game (1946) established her persona
• most often played the mu'alima - the popular mistress, courageous, independent, yet virtuous and traditionally oriented, but went on to play queens, and mothers towards the end of her career
• films include al-Futuwa/the thug (1957), Shabab Imra'a/Youth of a Woman (1956), Wa Ishlamah/ Oh Islam (1961), Khalli Balak Min Zuzu/Take care of Zuzu (1972), Li-l-Hubb Qissa Akhira /love's Last Story (1986)

http://www.belly-dance.org/tahia-carioca.html

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/448/cu1.htm

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.113

Kuwaiti

b. 1952

Artist

• educated at College of Fine Arts, Cairo and Arts Insitute, Surikov, Moscow, M.A in Graphic Book Illustration and Design
• Exhibited in solo and group exhibitions since 1985 in Kuwait, Baghdad, Atlanta, Washington, Bahrain, Syria, Casablanca, Amman , Beirut, Sharjah, Cairo, Budapest,, Athans, London, Paphos.
• works in acrylic, oil on canvas and monoprints
• author of children's books

http://wwol.inre.asu.edu/al-baqsami.html

Lloyd, Fran and Keelan, Siumee H. Contemporary Arab women's art : dialogues of the present London : WAL, c1999.

Umm Kulthum

Egyptian

1904 - 1974

Singer and actor

• known as the Kawakab al-sharq "Star of the Orient" and as al-sitt "the mistress"
• considered to be the most extraordinary and popular Egyptian singer of the 20th century
• appeared in 6 films begining in 1936 with Widad
• her best film is considered to be Sallama 91945) in which she appeared as a faithful and talented slave
• not a gifted actress and did not continue acting after 1947

http://www.arabies.com/Special%20Report/Umm%20Kulthum.htm

http://edmund2.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.125

Algerian

1941-

Lawyer and Diplomat

• educated at University of Algiers and Institute of Sciences Politiques (Algeirs)
• lawyer 1967-76
• writer and feminist political journalist
• UNESCO official in Division of Human Rights and Peace specializing in Women's Rights 1979-

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.562

Youssra

Egyptian

b. 1955

Actor

• first film as Qasr Fi-l-Hawa'l/A palace in the air (1975)
• reputed to be best Egyptian actress of the modern era
• plays a variety of characters and styles
• 1990s she specialized in comedic roles including al-Irhab Wa-l-Kabab/Terrorism and the Kebabs (1992)
• Best Actress Award 'Golden Knight' of the Middle East Oscars 1999
• starred in "Hayat El Gohary", "Raafat El Hagan", and "Awan El Ward" and "Ayna Qalby" series for TV and performed play "Lama Papa Yenam" on stage

http://www.arab-celebs.com/pf.asp?id=2

Source: Companion Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern and North African Film ed. Oliver Leaman London: Routledge, 2001 p.125

Zaha HADID

Iraqi

1950-

Architect and Professor

• educated at American University Beruit and Architectural Association (London)
• completed architectural works include
• Vitra Furniture Co. (Germany) 1991
• Contemporary Art Center (Cinncinati, Ohio) 1998
• Mind Zone in Millenium Dome (London) 1999
• garden exhibition center (Weil am Rhein) 1999
• Professor Columbia University 1994, University of Illinois 1997, Bildene Kunst (Hamburg) 1997

http://www.zaha-hadid.com/profile.html

http://www.iit.edu/departments/pr/arch.comp/hadid.html

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.226

Iranian

1954-

Anthropologist

• educated at Universities of Tehran and Bergan (Norway), and SOAS (London)
• Assistant Lecturer Inst of Middle East Language and Culture, University of Bergan 1986-7
• Dept of Social Anthropology 1992-5
• Publications Women's Everyday Religious Discourse in Iran (1993), Women's Islam: Religious practice among women in today's Iran (1996)

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.284

Activist

• Founded the Muslim Ladies' Association 1936
• supported Hasan al-Banna founder of the Society of Muslim Brothers and backed his efforts to establish an Islamic state
• Muslim Women's Association dissolved by government in 1965
• jailed for political beliefs 1966-1971
• 1971 - active speaker and teacher of Islam

http://www.jannah.org/sisters/zaynab.html

Arab

c.260 AD

Ruler

Queen of Palmyra (modern Syria)

• After her husband King Odainat is murdered in 267 AD. Zenobia takes his place.
• She commands military campaigns that capture most of Syria and parts of Egypt from the Romans.
• She was captured by the Romans in 272 A.D. and the independance movement for Palmyra stops.

Source: Chronology of women worldwide Detroit: Gale Research Group, 1997

http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/ucbio_zenobia.htm

http://www.bartleby.com/65/ze/Zenobia.html

http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/LADYCONT/art19.htm

Zohra ben LAKHDAR

Scientist - professor of molecular spectroscopy

• educated at University of Paris VI and Univeristy of Tunis
• Professor of Physics, University of Tunis 1992-
• Founder member of Tunisian Physics Society, Tunisian Astronomy Society
• Fellow of Islamic Academy of Sciences

The International Who's Who of Women 3rd ed. Europa Publications: London, 2002 p.315

http://www.ias-worldwide.org/profiles/prof40.htm