Arab women have been making headlines for as far back as I remember. Most recently, Arab women have conquered two completely different cut-throat arenas: war and Hollywood.
British-Lebanese human-rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin transformed a confirmed bachelor over the weekend when she married Hollywood star George Clooney. Many women were annoyed at her, wanting to know her “secrets”, which really just came down to a basic combination of beauty and brains.
But let us begin with a true hero.
Major Mariam Al Mansouri, 35, the UAE’s first female fighter pilot, led the UAE air force into action against ISIL targets in Syria as part of a US-led coalition. She has become the poster girl for the entire region, breaking stereotypes about Arab women and inspiring women and men with her courage and dedication to national military service.
Armed with an undergraduate degree in English literature, she was the first woman to join the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, graduating in 2008. Now everywhere I go, I hear how young Arab women, not just Emiratis, want to become fighter pilots. Some sources say there may have been Arab female fighter pilots in the past who were not recognised or promoted by their governments. The UAE is commendable for always supporting its women.
Sabiha Gökçen (1913–2001), a Turkish Armenian aviator, and one of the eight adopted children of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkey, has been recognised as the world’s first female fighter pilot. In 1937, she took part in the military operation against the Dersim rebellion, a Kurdish uprising. One of the international airports in Istanbul is named after her.
There is no denying the power and poise embodied by anyone in a uniform, but we should never forget the risks involved in flying military aircraft.
Maj Al Mansouri’s story went viral, grabbing the attention and imagination of the world, with people who couldn’t even find the UAE, or Syria, on a map, knowing her name.
She has the respect of all men and women in military service, illustrated by the fact that 60 US veterans would not tolerate a sexist comment made about her on Fox News and demanded an apology.
But the story that is the stuff of legends concerns the first time US military air controllers contacted the UAE fighter force over Syria – and they were struck dumb for 20 seconds after hearing a woman’s voice over the radio.
Now back to Amal Alamuddin. She is now being referred to as Mrs Clooney but, given her high-profile career in law and human rights, I don’t think her marriage should be viewed as the ultimate success of her life. However, I do understand how marriage can change her life and open new doors.
Not all media outlets were enthralled by the way the "wedding of the year" was reported – as evidenced in the headline chosen by The Business Woman Media website: Internationally acclaimed barrister Amal Alamuddin marries an actor.
In Lebanon, the marriage has been praised as “proof” of the country’s greatness, given that the world’s most eligible bachelor fell for a Lebanese woman.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she became head of state in Lebanon. She may have to sidestep the sect-related rules – the president must be Christian and the prime minister Sunni – but she is married to George Clooney after all. It would, at least, be great if Amal, given her legal background, and George, with his interest in philanthropy and international causes, could help Lebanon with its refugee -related crisis.
Ms Alamuddin and Maj Al Mansouri are just two women currently making headlines. There are many, many more, and the group of amazing women is not just confined to Arabs. It is always harder for them, so whenever a “sister” makes it big, whatever the field, we should be there to support her all the way.
rghazal@thenational.ae
Twitter: @Arabianmau
