April 1st 2001, Khaleej Times
International women conferences are causing harm to structures and stability of families, instead of solving social problems, according to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qassimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and chairperson of the emirate’s Supreme Family Council.
Sheikha Jawaher made the remark during a recent meeting with the officials and members of International Family Organization (IFO) and Arab Family Organization (AFO) who were in Sharjah to attend the general assembly of the AFO held on March 27th and 28th.
Stressing the importance of following Islamic teachings in solving family problems in the Arab world, Sheikha Jawaher said: “Unfortunately we are being the victims of the vision of other foreign cultures in the world, and in adopting their suggested solutions which are in most cases against our beliefs.”
“It is completely unacceptable to follow cultures which promote improper behavior in raising generations and maintaining the stability of families, which is unfortunately what the International women’s Conferences call for, as a result of which they cause more deterioration in the condition of families,” Sheikha Jawaher added.
She drew the attention of the IFO chairperson to the importance of not neglecting Islamic concepts in developing the family “because it is the right concept for establishing a balanced family life.”
She called on the IFO to be more credible in highlighting the problem of the families and in implementing the right solutions which comply with proper behavior, and to restrain from supporting and promoting unacceptable solutions resulting from International women’s Conferences “because they fail to serve the purpose of protecting families,” she said in reference to certain issues such as pre-marital relations, abortion, among others.
