In Frankfurt as elsewhere, Dina Ezzat observes Suzanne Mubarak demonstrating the strength of female resolve The role of first lady may not be as popular in Arab countries as it is elsewhere, but occasionally the determination and resolve of one or another female figure contributes to breaking the patriarchal paradigm, which prioritises the role of the male head of state at the expense of the possible contribution of his wife. Mrs Suzanne Mubarak's role in culture -- a consistent effort to promote social and cultural rights at home and convey a positive image of Arab-Muslim life abroad -- constitutes an example of such determination. This week as a special guest of the International Frankfurt Book Fair, Mrs Mubarak did much to emphasise Egypt's commitment to culture both as an end in itself and as a means to understanding, tolerance and peace. Mrs Mubarak specified promoting a culture of peace as the object of her participation in the event; a central aspect of her calling, she said, involved combatting unfair and disturbing perceptions of Arabs and Muslims, especially Arab and Muslim women, in the West. Speaking at the central symposium hall of the fair grounds and to a select audience at the Hessen Parliament (while attending the awards ceremony of the Hessen Film Festival, at which Omar Sharif received a prize for his role in Mr Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Quran ), and giving television and press interviews, Mrs Mubarak consistently stressed three ideas: that Arabs have made an impressive contribution to the sum total of human knowledge, that they continue to reach out peacefully to other cultures, and that women are an integral part of their civilisation. In Paris on Monday, she also met with representatives of the leading non- governmental French organisations to compare notes concerning the promotion of social and cultural rights. Speaking to German interlocutors during her four-day stay in Frankfurt, Mrs Mubarak argued that it was the responsibility of both Arabs and the West to improve intercultural exchange. An event like Frankfurt, she said, allowed each side to understand a little more about the other, eliminating stereotypes and making the discovery that they have many values in common. She discussed the Reading For All campaign, a long-term project she launched 15 years ago to make books affordable and available to Egyptians from all walks of life. She also reviewed the Read For Your Child campaign, another major initiative, and her contribution to re- establishing the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Referring to the welcome presence of other high-ranking officials who were present to share similar experiences, Mrs Mubarak said on signing the Golden Book at the Frankfurt town hall late last week, "I think it's important for us to tell the world about what we are doing because we all share similar concerns and we all try to find ways to overcome them." Beyond the official greetings and formal niceties, Mrs Mubarak's German interlocutors were by and large impressed with the notion of an accomplished and articulate Arab-Muslim woman acting as an envoy to the West -- such an active contribution, a contribution in person, as it were, many argued, will prove even more effective than book exhibitions or talks on the role and status of women in the Arab world. While books and culture constituted Mrs Mubarak's principal focus, peace was one of the issues she tackled. As chairperson of the Suzanne Mubarak Movement for Women and Peace, she took the time to review the role and interests of this emerging organisation, which takes it upon itself to promote peace in and beyond the Middle East, and to secure recognition for the role of women in promoting a culture of peace. Ismail Serageddin, the director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, also delivered a speech on Mrs Mubarak's behalf -- an appeal for cultural dialogue and the promotion of peace. Marking the occasion of the second anniversary of the opening of the Alexandria library, the speech called for revitalising collective world action to promote tolerance and understanding, following the example of the ancient library. "Perception is very important," a French journalist in Frankfurt declared. "When we watch television and see all these head-to-toe veiled women in Arab and Muslim countries, that is when we adopt a certain negative perception of Arab and Muslim culture. Not until we see accomplished Arab and Muslim women, first ladies and others who are well educated and leading successful careers, do we see this culture from a different angle. And when we read books written by Arab women writers, like the ones I've seen this week at the book fair, that gives us yet another perspective with which to look on Arab culture..."
