In the face of the great problems that beset Arab society, and the Arab woman in particular, the "Woman's Voice Symposium" will invite each month a select company of ladies and gentlemen to treat the questions of the day and to attempt, so far as possible, to solve them.

... The "Woman's Voice Symposium" met for the first time on October 18, and the ladies discussed the question of the day — defining the latest

position of the question of woman's political rights.

Here is a select company of the finest ladies, gathering at the "Woman's Voice Symposium" to treat the question of the hour — namely, woman's political rights. This bouquet of ladies comprises Miss Ibtihaj

Ibtihaj Kaddoura: "The Administration and Justice Committee is unanimous in supporting woman."

Kaddoura, president of the General Arab Women's Union; the physician Saniya Habboub Nakkash; Mrs. Habiba Shaaban Yakan, president of the Young Muslim Women's Association; Miss Zahiyah Dughan, principal of Makassed College for Girls; Mrs. Wadia Khartabil, president of the Women's Union in Tulkarm, Palestine; and the writer of these lines, In'am al-Saghir, secretary for foreign correspondence of the Lebanese Women's Union. Mrs. Edvick Jureidini Shayboub, editor-in-chief of this magazine, surrounded her honored guests with her well-known geniality and

gracious kindness, and took part in the discussion as well.

The ladies examined various matters of concern to woman, foremost among them the problem of the day that touches her. Miss Ibtihaj Kaddoura was asked to acquaint those present with the latest developments in this matter and with the outcome of its examination in the Administration and Justice Committee of the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies — the committee's last meeting having taken place on the very morning of that day. Miss Kaddoura presented a full and reassuring report, remarking that the woman's question, like every other question, has its give and take, and requires thorough study from every side. What the Justice Committee is doing today is to examine the details, now that the Council of Ministers has approved the granting to woman of her political and civil rights in general, has stated as much in the ministerial declaration, and has submitted to the Chamber of Deputies a request to amend the electoral law and to clarify the Constitution — not to amend it, since there is nothing in it that prevents woman from exercising her rights in full, without diminution....

And after the Administration and Justice Committee approved the law in principle, behold, it is still studying how to apply it in its details... Now they bring up the problem of the "photograph," and now they create new obstacles that seek to stir up sectarian feeling — as though the problem of the Muslim woman's photograph and its appearance on the identity card were "the shirt of Uthman"! If the

honorable committee has approved the principle of equality, why enter into fruitless details? Does every man who has the right to vote go to the ballot box and cast his vote in it? Gentlemen, members of the Administration and Justice Committee: do all your friends and relatives vote in every election?! Then why not leave the matter to take its natural course for woman as well? Is Lebanon — with its many, harmonious sects — to prove more fanatical against Islam than sisterly Syria, which has not even debated this matter? Or is it to prove more jealous for Islam, and for Muslim women in particular, than the Nile Valley and the land of the venerable Azhar?! Enough mockery and waste of time! We do not ask for polling stations reserved for women, unless

the particular surroundings require it — and that decision they have taken carries in its folds its measure of wisdom and caution.