Inter-cultural dialogue, only alternative to violence

Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak Tuesday took part in a celebration marking the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Egyptian Institute for Islamic studies in Madrid.

Addressing participants, Mrs. Mubarak voiced pleasure over participating in the event.

She described the Institute as being of great importance for the Egyptian-Spanish cultural relations.

Mrs. Mubarak hailed efforts exerted by Egyptian writers and intellectuals who played a major role in the establishment of the Institute.

She asserted that Egyptian women have been playing a pivotal role in the country's modern history, underlining a need to enable women to maintain their active role in the family and the society at large.

"Egyptian women have long fought for their rights to establish a solid society capable of growing effectively," said Mrs. Mubarak.

She added that transcriptions in temples show that women had played a significant role in the culture of ancient Egyptians.

"Islam has given much momentum to the liberation of women and the restoration and promotion of their outstanding role on basis of equality and responsibility," said the Egyptian First Lady.

"Qassem Amin, an Egyptian intellectual, heralded the way for more liberation of Egyptian women and his call was widely accepted, gaining more ground each and every day," said Mrs. Mubarak.

She cited women joining of the then Fouad I University only two years after its establishment.

After the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, Mrs. Mubarak said, a law was passed on equality and banning all forms of discrimination.

She added that Egyptian women joined the Parliament for the first time in 1957 and the First Woman Minister was appointed in the mid-1960s.

Ever since the revolution, women have been assuming high-ranking posts, recalled the First Lady.

Mrs. Mubarak underlined the importance of women education and legislative protection. She also highlighted the recent presidential decree on setting up the woman National Council.

"We are living in an ever-changing and globalized world where borders collapse and the only means for progress is science and technology, a matter requiring more efforts for holding a constructive dialogue and exchanging expertise," said Mrs. Mubarak.

"Egypt is most willing to maintain intercultural dialogue as the only alternative for the culture of violence and hostility," said the Egyptian First Lady.