Saudi women have been given the thumbs-up by Princess Hissa Bint Trad Al-Shalan, the consort of King Abdullah, for their intellectual contribution and participation at the Janadriya cultural festival this year. Saudi women have portrayed an enlightened image of their country through their achievements, the Princess told her audience Tuesday night during a ceremony held to honor outstanding women intellectuals from the Gulf region. The audience included women from the Gulf and France, the guest of honor at the festival. The women were honored for their intellectual effort to uplift both literary and social work in the Gulf. The list of honor includes Princess Adelah, the daughter of King Abdullah, for her social work with children and people with disabilities in the Kingdom. This is in addition to her work with many social and charity organizations. The other women honored. From Saudi Arabia: Thuraya Qabil and Eida Al-Juhany. From Kuwait: Sheikha Al-Subbah, honorary president of the disabled society in Kuwait, poet and writer Layla Al-Othman and Aljufool Al-Waelya. From Qatar: Hisa Khalifa Al-Thani for her social initiatives, poet and storywriter Kaltham Al-Kawari and a female writer who goes by the pen name ‘Al-Wafya.' From Bahrain: May Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information, Fayqa Al-Mo'yed, and Hanadi Al-Jodal. From the United Arab Emirates: Nora Al-Suwaidi and Asma Al-Muttwa; and from Oman: Asela Al-Suhaili. Princess Adelah said the focus on heritage helps “deepen the connection with the past and strengthen the sense of patriotism and pride.” “The festival presents a rich variety of the Kingdom's culture.” Bahrain's Al-Khalifa said the festival will contribute to the preservation of traditional identity that will be passed from one generation to another. Layla Al-Othman said that the resurrection of heritage will have a deep effect on current and future generations. “I am for inherited traditions that don't cripple the movement of society,” she added. Sheikha Al-Subbah said that nations are measured against their preserved and celebrated heritage. She hoped for wider participation of Gulf countries at the festival in the future.
