UAE | General
Emirati women hit the road and film tourist spots
Four young Emirati women have taken to the roads to prove that if men can do it so can they.
- By Eman Mohammed, Staff Reporter
- Published: 01:04 February 8, 2008
- From left: Wa'ad Al Mansouri, Shayma Al Reyami, Amani Nasser and Maitha Jasem will travel across the country.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Four young Emirati women have taken to the roads to prove that if men can do it so can they.
Shayma Al Reyami, Wa'ad Al Mansouri, Amani Nasser and Maitha Jasem started their tour of the UAE yesterday. The first leg takes them to Al Ain in a car made famous by the Emirati Travellers Group, which toured around the world.
The women will go around tourist areas in Al Ain, documenting every thing on film. They will then go to Fujairah through Hatta and later to Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah and finally Dubai.
Shayma, group leader, told Gulf News: "We are the female version of the Emirati Traveller Group. The idea came from Awad Bin Mejren, the group leader."
'It means a lot to me'
In ancient times, she said women had lots of responsibilities in life. They played so many roles - there were no boundaries. "And as modern women, we have been promoted to senior positions. We now want to emphasise that we women can do what men do," she said.
It wasn't easy for Shayma's family to accept the idea of her being a traveller: "I convinced them because it means a lot to me."
On the other hand, things were easier for Wa'ad who got family support for her spirit of adventure. "It's not only about exploring tourist spots but it's about women's will to choose to do so," she said.
For Amani it's just a dream that has come true. She was a fan of the group and always wished to be a traveller. "I have got the chance to live my dream."
Big project
Maitha used to be a scout at school, so "travelling is usual for me". "Emirati women can reach higher levels and preserve their traditions too."
Ebrahim Al Dahli, editor-in-chief of Asfar, a travel magazine and organisers of the trip, said this is just a beginning of a big project that aims to prove that "Emirati women have the will to travel and tour the mountains and deserts". He said: "Other groups will tour different parts of the country later."
All the trips will be documented and broadcast on www.asfartvonline.net.
Share this article
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- Dance group brings taste of Korean culture to Abu Dhabi
- EAD studies focus on water security
- Dubai Press Club marks 10th anniversary
- Visitors flock to see latest offerings at Sharjah book fair
- UAE combats human trafficking
- Ministry denies hijacking of UAE-flagged ship
- Saif meets special needs centre users
- Man says he repaid 95% of amount he embezzled
- Dubai saleswoman claims she was duped, raped
- Female clerk, waiter deny drug trafficking charges
- Live hoardings: Ad a glance
- Gem of a woman
- Dewa charges: It's a bitter bill
- Weighty matter: Zap those fat cells
- Recycle your organic waste
Community Reports
-
Help me find my precious cat
Raif, my cute eight-month-old ‘fur ball', went missing in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area last month
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
