Abu Dhabi: Naming Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, ‘Mother of Arabs’ has been widely welcomed in the UAE.

Shaikha Fatima was given the name by the Arab Producers Union and the Arab Women’s Campaign and will be honoured at a special ceremony on Wednesday, in the presence of an elite group of Arab and international women leaders.

Dr Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), said: “Shaikha Fatima, Mother of the Nation and now Mother of Arabs, represents a global role model of humanitarian giving and work — a role that goes beyond women’s empowerment and welfare of childhood and mothers — and dedicated efforts to achieve development and peace in the world.”

Shaikha Fatima presents an honourable example of women’s leadership in the Arab region and entire world because she succeeded in presenting a positive image of Arab women in both the regional and international arena, he added.

Al Suwadi referred to Shaikha Fatima’s immense and constructive efforts in caring for all issues related to childhood and motherhood, family and empowerment of women in the UAE and beyond. Her dedicated efforts in various spheres in support of women, children and the UAE and Arab family make her a rare national and humanitarian model to be emulated by other women in the world.

Meanwhile, Jamal Obaid Al Bah, Chairman of the Sharjah-based Arab Family Organisation, said, “We are honoured to extend out deepest thanks to Shaikha Fatima on the occasion of Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. We believe that Shaikh Fatima, who is the Mother of the Nation, is the mother of humanity as a whole.”

He said the UAE, under its leadership, will not spare any efforts to support and enhance the family, childhood, women and motherhood in the country.

He lauded the sincere efforts by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unlimited support for all programmes and initiatives, including the establishment of the Arab Family Organisation in Sharjah.

Al Bah said honouring Shaikha Fatima is a gesture dedicated to a humanitarian leader who gives limitlessly.