During a short visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday and Sunday, Queen Rania of Jordan visited Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women and Prince Sultan Humanitarian City in Riyadh on Sunday morning. The Jordanian Queen flew into Riyadh from Jeddah earlier on Sunday morning. She then visited Al-Nahda Society, where she met with Princess Sara Al-Faisal, General Manager of the society, along with other members. “The Queen is interested in visiting women's charities and training centers in the capital,” said Rana Al-Marie, head of pubic relations at Al-Nahda Society. After holding a round-table meeting with various members of the society Queen Rania toured the various training centers at Al-Nahda, where she watched Saudi women working in pottery, tailoring, sewing traditional dresses and other vocational jobs. Queen Rania then headed to Prince Sultan Humanitarian City, where she also toured facilities. On Saturday night, Queen Rania was a keynote speaker at the opening of the Learning and Technology Symposium in Jeddah, along with Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region and Member of Effat College Board of Trustees, and Princess Lolowah Al-Faisal, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and General Supervisor of Effat College. The symposium, now in its sixth iteration, aims to spread digital awareness, especially among educators. Queen Rania spoke of her sincere interest in advancing education, technology and, mainly, women. Queen Rania said that rather than pointing out differences among the societies of West and East, the two sides should rather engage in discussion. “First of all, we have to show the world that Arab women, and especially women in Saudi Arabia, can be the best in their fields,” she said. “I wish the world could listen to the students at the symposium. It is because (Saudi Arabia) is different. The Arab world is also different.” She added that these forums are good platforms for the Arab women to empower themselves. “I don't know why people think that empowering women means abandoning their customs,” Queen Rania continued, adding that more than half of the college graduates in the Arab world are women. “Give them all the necessary tools to bring their innovative ideas out and a platform, and then they will come out with their best to help their country's education and economic empowerment.” In his speech, Prince Khalid said that human civilization flourishes in a cooperative environment, especially in this day and age of technology that bridges gaps and paves the way to successful communication among nations. Prince Khalid said there is no doubt that the Kingdom, led by the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan, strives to embrace all modernization methods while maintaining its identity and values. He added that within that framework, economic cities were built, more than a quarter of the country's budget was allocated to education, and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology was established. “In addition, educational and research centers have spread throughout the Kingdom and have gained the lion's share in private investment,” said the Prince. Princess Lolowah said, “our leaders are very keen to assure that young Saudi women are given their full right to receive proper education. Saudi women have demonstrated time and again a high level of creativity and scholarship in various fields of study.” She said technology is integral to Effat College's mission, “which is one of the primary reasons we sponsor such initiatives as the Women in Technology Program and the CISCO Networking Program.” __
