THE UAE prides itself on its Islamic culture and on following the teachings of Islam and its people believe in and practice principles which do not encourage extremism, religious groupings and factions injurious to Islam, Her Highness Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Supreme Family Council (SSFC) and the Sharjah Women’s Club (SWC) and wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, said yesterday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a conference on ‘UAE girls – between alien influences and ambitions’, organised by the SWC, Shaikha Jawaher called upon UAE women to adhere to the teachings of Islam, and shunning extremist ideas. Islam, she said, is the faith of true freedom and guarantees a just, fair and safe living to the mankind.
“It is not strange for our girls to fall prey to negative influences of media and to be lured into indulging in practices beyond their financial means. Attempts to prompt our girls to revolt against their society and families in pursuit of so-called freedom are also not strange. But the strange thing would be to leave these girls to face these challenges on their own,” Sheikha Jawaher said, adding that the entire society was responsible for protecting the girls.
“There is no point in inculcating good values and concepts in the minds of the youth in schools while the family at home does not set a good example for them. Even the joint efforts of the school and the family are not enough without the cooperation of the media,” Shaikha Jawaher said. She referred to efforts being made by the SSFC through the Sharjah Women’s Club to care for the girls.
“We have prepared special programmers and organize activities for this purpose. But I emphasize that efforts of one organization are not enough. We need joint efforts to save the entire generation from falling victims to alien influences,” Sheikha Jawaher said. She warned girls against imitating other cultures, be it in the dress or conversation or general behavior.
“Take from other cultures what benefits and suits you, provided it does not contravene the teachings of our religion,” she said. She said that the directives of Dr Sheikh Sultan on decency and public conduct were aimed at protecting women and the society and not at, as he has always said, restricting personal freedom.
