By IINA,
Jeddah : Jordan’s Queen Rania yesterday called for a global dialogue to dismantle stereotypes of Muslims on the one hand and of the suppression of women in the Arab world on the other. “It is through a global dialogue that such stereotypes of Muslims can be dismantled, and it is through women’s sustained education and progress that such misconceptions can be removed,” the queen said in her keynote address at the sixth annual symposium of Effat College on learning and technology at the Jeddah Hilton. She termed “Cyber Citizenship: Vistas and Visions” as the apt theme for the two-day symposium at a time when the World Wide Web and the Internet are progressing by the day.
Also yesterday, Rania visited, for the first time, the headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The visit was aimed at acquainting herself with the activities of the IDB Group as well as its efforts to support development plans and programs in IDB member countries. The President of the IDB Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali and other officials received her. He expressed his appreciation for the visit and the fruitful cooperation that exists between Jordan and the IDB Group.
Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also a member of the Effat College board of trustees, in his opening address, said that in today’s world of technology (cyber world) there is a huge lot of information and knowledge that is easily available. “It is our responsibility to make maximum use of it and see that progress is achieved coupled with human development,” he said, adding that the Kingdom is committed to achieve its goals with all possible means and tools. Princess Loulwah Al-Faisal, vice chairman of the board of trustees and general superviser of Effat College, in her welcome remarks said, “It is a great honor to me and to Effat College to see Queen Rania here.” Education in Saudi Arabia has received constant support from all of its kings, she said, adding that Saudi women were competent and able learners.
Queen Rania said, “Stereotypes like women are being suppressed and that they are not educated should be answered by Arab and Muslim women themselves with the help of the Web and the Internet. Efforts are already being made by women to dismantle such misconceptions and much more needs to be done through a sustained campaign.” She added, “Effat College, which has a rich history of 50 years in educating girls, is one of the examples of how women are graduating in large numbers. I wish they (the West) see what is happening in Effat College… It is not only happening in Effat College but all over the Kingdom. Historically, Arab countries realized that women needed to be educated. After all, they (women) are the pillars of any society and its development.”
Emphasizing that technology was important in today’s world, she said, “But this era is not of technology alone. Our era is one of vision; wisdom and innovation…When I talk of empowering women, it does not mean giving up our traditions and culture, and emulate the West. Our faith has honored women from the Prophet’s time. It is also our belief that when you educate one woman you educate an entire society.
It is noteworthy that media savvy Queen Rania has launched last month a YouTube channel calling on young people to engage in a global dialogue to dismantle stereotypes of the Muslims and Arab world. Rania has vowed to work to break down such preconceptions and has said she wants people to “know the real Arab world… unedited, unscripted and unfiltered.” The YouTube channel invites viewers to give their opinions of the Middle East and talk about stereotyped images they may have of Arabs and Muslims.