|  | American Muslim women hail Sheikha Fatima's support for Emirati womenJan 12, 2009 - 12:24 - WAM ABU DHABI, Jan 11th, 2009 (WAM): A group of 21 American Muslim women currently visiting the UAE have praised the efforts by H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and of the UAE General Women 's Union, to support Emirati women so that they may become models for modern Muslim women. They also praised her for her dedication to UAE society as a whole.
The group is in the UAE to take part in a course on Islam organised by the Zayed House for Islamic Culture in collaboration with the Washington-based American Congress of Muslim Youth (ACMY).
The one-month course offers an opportunity to learn about the life of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Participants are also attending classes on the Islamic Creed, Hadith and other topics, while twice-weekly tours are being organised to introduce them to a number of UAE civil society institutions.
In statements to WAM during a visit to the headquarters of the General Women's Union in Abu Dhabi, members of the group praised Sheikha Fatima's keen interest in preserving Emirati traditional handicrafts, which they said "represent the best and most productive investment of housewives' time and skills." The ACMY president, Khalid Abu Bakr Ahmad, said that Sheikha Fatima was a mother for Muslim women in addition to being the Mother of the Nation for the UAE.
"Sheikha Fatima represents an honourable global model for Muslim women. She practices the principles and teachings of Islam by engaging in humanitarian action, serving her society and supporting women and safeguarding their rights," he said. "In doing so, she is empowering them to achieve the fitting social status they deserve." During the visit, members of the group were briefed on cultural and entertainment activities organised by the Union. They also inspected a display of medals and honours awarded to Sheikha Fatima by Arab, regional and international bodies in recognition of her support for Emirati women.
The Zayed House for Islamic Culture in Al Ain was established on May 31st, 2005. It offers social, educational, family services to new Muslim converts to help them integrate into Muslim society. It also works to give an accurate understanding picture of Islam to non-Muslims.
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