Heralding a new era

An invitation (albeit postponed, due to mourning) signals a new era for Dubai under our new ruler:

On behalf of:

His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Dubai Crown Prince & UAE Defence Minister, and

Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint al Hussein, The Wife of
His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

This is the first time in the UAE that a media invitation has been jointly issued by a royal couple. It is possibly the first time it has ever happened in the Gulf. A royal wife - now the actual ruler's wife - has a proper public role. No more hiding away royal women behind veils and palace doors.

UAE women are increasingly out, educated and employed, and likewise their most senior figurehead.

Newlyweds, royal-style

A groundbreaking AFP interview with Princess Haya, wife of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed, brings fascinating insight into the royal marriage. We learn that a passion for horses - Princess Haya headed Jordan's equestrian team before her marriage - originally united them.

"As time passed, we soon realised that we also share a passion for poetry and writing as well, for Muslim and Arab history and culture, and for preserving and enhancing our traditions. Much of both of our work is dedicated to this end."

Even more interesting is Haya's perspective on her husband:

"His vision and commitment truly inspire everyone around him. He still retains the innocence of a child. He makes it, like he dreams it."

Although the marriage itself is a political dream - uniting two of the most advanced, open Arabic countries, and providing a strong, media-friendly female figurehead acceptable to East and West - Haya's words suggest it may well be a love marriage first and foremost.

Her words on women are also carefully chosen - revealing a clear intent to bring about change while appeasing traditionalists:

"I am not saying that we should not exert efforts across the Arab and Muslim worlds to further better our chances on the legal and socio-economic and political fronts, but we must respect the women’s choices themselves and to encourage those who simply want to live according their own dreams."

Dubai's Princess Di

This story, about the visit of Sheikh Mohammed's wife Princess Haya visiting a special needs centre, at first glance appears unremarkable. Royal visits to schools and charities are old news the world over.

But this is the first time a Dubai royal wife has ever had a public life, and even more significantly, she appears photographed and unveiled. In fact, Princess Haya - a half-sister of the King of Jordan - is the first Dubai royal wife ever to have been heard of, although the young daughters of Sheikhs appear at public events from time to time. No one knows the names, numbers or nationalities of any other sheikhly spouses.

By contrast in Abu Dhabi, Sheikha Fatima, wife of late UAE president Sheikh Zayed, has for many years led a very public life. In keeping with culture, she speaks through press statements and is not seen or heard directly in the media, but her views are always strong and progressive, supportive of women's progress in the Emirates. When we bear in mind that Sheikha Fatima is elderly, having grown up and born children long before the arrival of oil, hospitals, roads and schools, this is all the more remarkable.

Fatima is also publicly praised by male UAE politicians, which breaks a long-held cultural taboo of never mentioning another man's wife.

"The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a wise maxim that women should take part in their nation’s development and a nation can be no good if women, who make up half of society, are held down," the Minister of Education said.

"Furthermore, Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak is a major force for development and progress in our country. Her energy, her vision and her commitment to comprehensive and sustained development have enabled all of us to appreciate the role of women as leaders in our society."