Specialists review the historical role of women in urbanization and confirm:
Ain Expo.. A woman's touch adorns the architecture of the future
Princess Reem Al-Hashimi: "Muslim women have historically entered the public sphere of the city, benefiting all."
Ahlam Zainal: “Nafisa Al-Bayda developed several historical buildings in Egypt through her wealth.”
Olivia Duncan: "Fatima Al-Fihri is credited with building Al-Qarawiyyin University, the first university in the world."
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Architectural specialists shed light on the role played by women in Islamic architecture in particular, stressing the need to allow women to play a role in future architecture, to add to their feminine sense based on protecting the “less powerful groups” in society, such as children, people of determination and others, which will allow securing A better and safer environment for them.
This came during a discussion session organized by the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on the sidelines of the Urban and Rural Development Week, the third week of the 10 topic weeks that will be held throughout the duration of the international event.
The lectures dealt with views on the most prominent women who played a vital role in Islamic history, with a special focus on the role they played in Islamic architecture.
Olivia Duncan, assistant professor of anthropology studies at New York University Abu Dhabi, said: “I heard about Fatima Fihri, this Arab Muslim woman who was born in Tunisia and then moved to Fez in Morocco, and built the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, the first university in the world, and it is interesting to me that the role of Women were more complex than the role of their European counterparts in that period.”
While the Head of the Development Department at GFH Real Estate (Bahrain), Dr. Ahlam Zainal, indicated that she had read about women’s contributions to Islamic architecture, and many stories about Muslim women caught her eye, including what Nafisa Al-Bayda did, who developed through her wealth and contributions the “Sabil and Kuttab” building. Nafisa Al-Bayda” in Egypt.
In addition to the achievements of Al-Fihri and Al-Bayda, the Firdaws School is the most important thing left by the Queen “Difat Khatun” in the city of Aleppo, and the Seljuk Queen “Safwat Al-Malik” ordered the construction of a magnificent funerary dome, along with several buildings that left their mark on Islamic architecture, and formed the identity of some Islamic cities.
The remarkable contributions of women from the Arab and Islamic region, which led to the progress of Islamic architecture and urban development in history, inspired today’s women to participate in the creation of inclusive and sustainable cities. Women’s opinion must be taken into account when planning urban areas, to understand their needs and customs and ensure their safety and the safety of society. This is according to the opinions of the lecturers.
For her part, urban planner, writer and researcher Dr. Princess Reem Al-Hashemi, (UAE), said: “Historically, home spaces and public areas were divided into portions designated for women and others designated for men. But she was encouraged, and decided to leave the protective sheath of her house, and entered the public sphere of the city to the benefit of all. Interestingly, women were dominant in their homes, and this public-private dynamic is interesting.
The participants said that over the past few decades, historians of Islamic architecture have realized the vital role that women played in developing these arts, and their contribution to improving the urban landscape of the Islamic world. Women's power, identity and influence in Islamic society.
Contributions of notable women
The participants in the discussion session organized by the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on the sidelines of the Urban and Rural Development Week, confirmed that the field of architecture reflected the contribution of prominent women in Islamic history, who played important roles in building many wonderful buildings that affected the urban landscape in their cities. , including mosques, religious schools, cemeteries, hospitals, baths, and others.