Women's Activity in the Arab World — At the Queen Aliya Institute

We have received from the secretary of the Arab Culture Association of the Queen Aliya Institute this description of the party. We publish it with thanks — and would that we might always receive from the various women's institutions in the Arab world descriptions of the activity they display in the social and intellectual field.

The Queen Aliya Institute has this year taken wide strides in the field of scholarly progress. Its years of study have been increased by one, making four; students join it after finishing the secondary stage of study, receiving there their higher education and specializing in the various branches of specialization, which have also been increased this year, becoming five branches: a branch of Arabic literature, a branch of English literature, a branch of mathematics, a branch of natural sciences, and a branch of history and geography. Under the energy of its dean, the venerable educator Sitt Amat Said, it will continue steadily in progress and advancement. Several associations have been formed within it, among them the Arab Culture Association, the Islamic History Association, the Sciences Association, and the English Language Association.

The Arab Culture Association has drawn up a broad program of parties, lectures, and speeches, which it will carry out during the school year. The first fruit of its labors was the great party it held to welcome the new professors and the new students; it was one of the most splendid parties of the Iraqi capital, for the poetry and prose delivered at it, for the exalted patriotic feeling that reigned over it, and for the spirit of jest and humor that ran through it. At half past three on the afternoon of December 17, 1946, the institute's hall was crowded with the arriving professors and students. Miss Suad al-Mudallal mounted the platform and delivered the opening address, and in it she succeeded completely (it is the one we publish elsewhere in this issue). The party had of necessity to break loose somewhat from gravity, so Miss Nuzhat Khalil mounted the stage and played the part of the professors, imitating each professor in his delivery, his gestures, and his voice. She was so skillful that her imitation matched reality point for point, and those who applauded her most and admired her most were the professors themselves, thereby giving proof of a lofty sporting spirit. Then Miss Badriya Suhail recited a poem inspired by the atmosphere of the party and the fragrance of tea and the sweet scent of pastries that hung upon it. Her cry had of course to be answered, so the plates of sweets and the cups of tea were passed round. Then Miss Khayriyya Mahfouz took the stage in the name of the new students, thanking her fellow students for their hospitality and welcome, and dwelling on the part the young woman must play in our national upbuilding and our patriotic being.

Then the eminent Mr. Hashim Atiya was called upon to speak; he delivered an address in prose and followed it with a poem of the choicest verse, which was received with intense admiration. Then the gifted poet Mr. Hasan al-Amin, counselor of the Arab Culture Association, came forward and recited a poem of majestic verse that raised a storm of applause and loud cheering, and it was the close of the party. Then some cinema scenes were shown. The Arab Culture Association will hold its second party at a date to be announced shortly; its subject will be a debate between two teams of the institute's literary young ladies, entitled: Which of the two views shall we adopt — the view that says “literature for literature's sake,” or the one that says “literature for life”? The Islamic History Association is likewise preparing for its great party, and so are the rest of the associations.