Mama mia! Three remarkable Arab mothers

Hala Kazim

Artist and businesswoman,45-year-old Hala Kazim regards her five sons - Anas, 26, Moad, 22, Harith, 19, Tarioq, 12, and Hassan, 4 - as her life's most cherished gifts.

Hala used to be a full-time homemaker before the artistic bug bit her. Encouraged by the success of her exhibitions,and the constructive feedback from her sons,her artistic career took off with commissions from many leading companies.

“The biggest challenge of being a mother is the constant worrying about your children. One always wants them to have a good life and to teach them the right things," says Hala.

Being dyslexic has taught Hala to encourage her children to be themselves. “One of the most difficult tasks as a parent is to accept your children for who they are," she says.

“I listen a lot to my children,and I am glad they have turned out to be such good boys."

Hala works from her studio based in her home. Her art is expressed in pure silk carpets,framed carpentry and collage pieces. Known for her inclination towards Oriental and traditional UAE art,she embellishes handmade carpets made by weavers from Iran's Qum region with a variety of precious stones to create unique home decorations. Hala's work is presently displayed in the gift section of Harrods department store,in England.

Dhabia Jumaa Lamlah

For this 68-year-old Emirati mother of 10,art has been a medium of self expression. Around 11 years ago,Dhabia suffered an accident and lost her ability to speak or move. She travelled to London for treatment,accompanied by her children. During her hospital stay,doctors tried a variety of treatments and therapies but made little headway. One of the lines of treatment which was tried was art therapy.

Miraculously,art therapy revived Dhabia,lifting her out of her despondence. Doctors found her responding well. Her son,Mattar Bin Lahej,himself an artist,encouraged his mother's new love for art and colour. “She found this new language to connect again with the world without speaking; once again she was able to communicate with all of us,her sons and daughters," says Mattar.

“We built a special studio for her in our house and she started to spend a lot of her time there," recalls Mattar. So prolific was Dhabia as an artist,that she held 10 exhibitions of her work over a mere four years,inspiring all with her zest for life and love of art. She is still unable to speak,but the appreciation and accolades she has earned for her art have given this mum a tremendous confidence and self-belief.

Mattar speaks for Dhabia's children: “I just want to say to my mother that she is the perfect mother. Thank you for making our life so special with your tender love and care."

Shirin Abdul Razak

Mother to Rasha,25,Hind,23,and Sara,21; Iranian born Shirin Abdul Razak heads The Living Zone chain of home stores,comprising Bombay and The Zone. An incredibly successful entrepreneur,Shirin also runs other businesses: the Sisters Beauty Lounges and Candella boutiques that showcase top-of-the-line fashion accessories,shoes and handbags.

Shirin's inspiration has been her own mother,a diplomat,whose work and social standing enriched her children's lives. “We never felt we were neglected because our mother had a great career. Rather my sister and I were proud of her work."

“It was easier for me 20 years ago to do the tightrope walk between home and a career,when the pace of life was quieter," she says,of her foray into becoming an entrepreneur. “The children and my family were always my first priority. But being an entrepreneur made it easier,as my time was my own."

Shirin has some words of wisdom for all women who are juggling multiple roles. “Women shouldn't aspire to be superwomen all the time: managing the home,family and a career. They should seek the help of their immediate family,starting with their partner. I would urge women to pursue their career,taking a break if possible when their children are young,so they have the peace of mind to follow their dreams."

Support:

Sometimes a child will need a bit of support to get through difficult times as well as support to achieve greatness. And that's where a top-notch mother steps in - from giving her child the occasional nudge to practice a musical instrument,to heaping praise on her offspring for work well done.

Dr Suad A. Lutfi Ali

Dr Suad Lutfi is an American-certified dermatologist who founded Dr Suad Lutfi Dermatology and Laser clinic in Jumeirah and Dubai Healthcare City. She is a specialist in cosmetic dermatology,laser and phototherapy. As an Arab woman and a doctor,she feels that her patients look up to her as a role model; in the way in which she carries herself and preserves her culture. As a dermatologist,Dr Suad takes great pleasure in helping her patients not only with medical and cosmetic issues but also with how these issues impact their happiness,self-esteem and overall psychological well-being. This leading doctor is also a proud mother to 8-year old twins Dana and Saif.

Farida Abdullah Kamber Al Awadi

Farida Abdullah Kamber Al Awadi is founder of Cinmar Design,now considered one of the forerunners of design firms in the UAE. Farida's main inspiration came from her mother,“because she has strong beliefs,a large heart and a lot of determination".

A UAE national,Farida understands that tradition and culture may sometimes impose limitations on women. However,she says: “With support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,women today are finding their productive roles in society." A message she would like to pass on to women is that “great people are just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination".

The ideal Arab mother

At this year's edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival,Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Deputy Ruler of Dubai,presented the Ideal Arab Mother award for 61-year-old Shamsa Hazeem Al Mehairi from the UAE.

Shamsa's story is one of grit and perseverance. Married at the age of 15,she did not get a chance to complete her education and barely knew how to read and write. After becoming the mother of four children,Shamsa took the unconventional decision to complete her education. She enrolled for adult education courses,attending evening classes and becoming something of a novelty in her community as a mother of four who decided to go back to school.

Education for women

“Ever since,she became deeply involved in the cause of education for women," says her son Dr Eissa.

Shamsa joined the Abu Dhabi Women's Association,heading the local chapter in her village of Al Bateen. In the 1970s,Shamsa started a school for older women in Al Bateen. Encouraged by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak,Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union,Shamsa started visiting remote island communities in Abu Dhabi to encourage the women to start schooling. Shamsa's ambition was to educate all the women in her community in Abu Dhabi.

“My mother has a high school degree,but she is so passionate about education that she saw to it that all her seven children pursued postgraduate degrees - even pushing my sisters to go for their education to England,which was unheard of in conservative families then," says Dr Eissa.

Doting mother

Today,after 24 years of dedicating her life to the cause of adult education among Emirati women,Shamsa lives the life of a doting mother and grandmother. A voracious reader,who likes to keep abreast of all that is happening in the world,she functions like a “centre for news" for all her friends.

The Ideal Arab Mother and Family Awards,set up under the directive of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,were launched in 2000. The Award is an appreciation for the larger role that a mother and a family play in creating positive and productive citizens. The candidates are selected by a panel of specialised jury members from diverse backgrounds.