The Women's Conference in Jerusalem

The women's conference that convened in Jerusalem on July 16 was one of the manifestations of the Arab woman's awareness and activity. At the invitation of the Jerusalem Women's Union, three thousand ladies gathered there, come from every part of Palestine to pledge before God to hold fast to Palestine.. The conference was attended by correspondents of local and foreign newspapers, and by representatives of the news agencies and the broadcasting houses. The Arab flags fluttered along the sides of the square; loudspeakers were placed beside them and before the women speakers; and over the place presided the portrait of His Eminence the Grand Mufti of Palestine.

In this most solemn atmosphere the conference was opened. The president of the Union, Miss Zulikha al-Shihabi, read the message of Her Ladyship the wife of the Grand Mufti of Palestine, who had graciously consented to be honorary president of the conference. The women speakers followed one upon another, all agreed on the duty of holding fast to the soil of the homeland. Then Miss Hind al-Qabbani read the message of the leader of Morocco, Abd al-Khaliq al-Torres; Mrs. Wadia Khartabil read the message of the women of Lebanon, graciously sent by the president of the Union there, Miss Ibtihaj Kaddoura; Miss Hayat Hamza delivered Syria's message, and Miss Amani Farid Egypt's; then came a telegram of support from the president of the Union in Transjordan, the wife of Ibrahim Pasha Hashim, and then the many telegrams. Several resolutions were adopted, the most important being the boycott of foreign goods, and the appointing of the 7th of June of every year to be called “Land Day,” when woman shall go out in every part of Palestine to collect donations for the rescue of the land. The conference dispersed with all thanking those who had called it, and appreciating the activity of Miss Zulikha Shihabi, president of the Union, in the field of the homeland.

The Women's Solidarity Association in Amman held a well-attended bazaar in which fine handiwork was displayed, among it valuable gifts from Her August Majesty the Queen, and choice flowers from Their Highnesses the Emiras.

The Orthodox Women's Committee continues its great activity for the education of woman: every Wednesday it offers the public a valuable lecture, and on the first Wednesday of every month a full literary festival on one of the sister countries. It began this program with Iraq Day and followed it with Lebanon Day; by this work it has become the bond of acquaintance and the strengthener of ties between Palestine and the rest of the Arab countries.