Features

Friendship recognises Omani women of substance

It is the true, selfless service to society in particular and humanity in general that makes a person different from the rest. Such deeds often go unnoticed or are less celebrated but an international association of Oman and France has identified and honoured by an international joint organisation.

Omani women who have made an impact in the society and have inspired the youth were honoured with the ‘Inspirational Women of Oman’ awards in commemoration of Omani Women’s Day by the Omani French Friendship Association at a glittering ceremony held at the Hormuz Grand hotel.

Noora Said Juma al Zadjali, Senior staff nurse and clinical instructor at Al Masaara hospital and Nadia al Ma’ashari, widely known as Um Jarah, founder of an Orphan Charity group called ‘Sadaqit Yateem al Khairi’ were honoured by the international friendship.

Noora has been working in the field of drug addiction awareness for the past 19 years. She organises scientific symposium on addiction rehabilitation, conducts lectures and workshops to heath care professional in different organisation, provides educational training for staff and clients to raise awareness in drug addiction. She communicates with charities to support the needs of the centres and the clients. She never stops. She has been well appreciated by her patients and their families because she extends her support to them for many more reasons than just the rehabilitation at the hospital.

Nadia al Ma’shari is a name synonymous with literacy programmes for women in her house, then she organised free school for kids for the last 14 years. Since 2007 after Ghonu, she started a group of women in Sidab to help families in need. There are more than 100 women today in Sidab and Al Amerat. Nadia welcomes her neighbours at her place to strengthen the ties among the community.

The event, which was held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyida Hujaijah al Said, Chairperson of the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children and Veronique Aulagnon, French Ambassador, Sulaiman al Harthy, Chairman of the Oman French Friendship Association and CEO of Alizz Islamic Bank honoured two deserving women at the fourth edition of OFA’s Inspirational Women of Oman ceremony attended by nearly 100 guests.

A speech and video highlighting their achievements in different fields gave a kickoff to the event followed by a panel discussion, which focused on women’s role and contribution to the community.

“The purpose of this panel is to encourage other women to follow their own passion, to believe in themselves and to support each other inside the woman community and to further contribute to the nation-building process,” a spokesperson from the Association told the Observer.

The panel comprised four women who have made their presence felt with their yeoman service to society. Yuthar bint Mohammed bin Musallam al Rawahiyah, Founder and Honorary Life President at Oman Cancer Association (OCA), Sabah bint Mohammed al Bahlaniyah, CEO of the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disability and Member of State Council, Dr Lamya Adnan al Haj, Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, and Sayyida Dr Shariffa bint Khalid bin Qais al Said, Educational Expert at Ministry of Education, and moderated by Rachel George, TV presenter and content creator.

OFA is a non-profit organisation registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and fully supported by the French Embassy. It aims at strengthening the bilateral relations between French and Omani business and social communities active in the Sultanate of Oman, said the spokesperson.