Women Only

As a member of the American Women's Association, I was invited to attend a morning of "Qatari Culture" at an Arabic Girls School presented by the Qatari Women's Association. Other women's groups such as the French Women's Association and the Italian Women's Association, were also in attendance. I was advised to wear a traditional women's dress as a sign of respect to the Qataris.  Since Veronica and Jimmy are now here, Veronica was able to also attend, along with Mia.  The three of us (Veronica, Mia and I) went to the souk to buy the dresses two days before the event. The day of the event, we were driven by Sharyn, a member of the American Women's Association (AWA) to the school.

When we arrived at the school. we walked between two rows of girls clapping and singing a welcome song to us! Once in the school, we got a tour of the facility, which was very modern and well-equipped (an unusual school I was told).  The girls had art work throughout the school. So many Qatari women and other women were in attendance and the general atmosphere was very festive and energetic.  The girls at the school were very dressed up and friendly. Mia seemed to enjoy therir hospitality, although later she expressed how "left out" she felt since it was not her school or her culture.  She was the only child who was there as a guest.

We sat at tables that were prepared as very elegant banquet tables with white table cloths, silk charir covers and flowers on the tables.  While some students danced on stage, other girls passed out Arabian coffee, Arabian tea, bags of candy and nuts, rosewater, and other delights.  The highlight of the presentation was the women's dance at a "wedding" where the bride wears green and is adorned by other women who throw mint leaves and flowers and even paper money in the air as the bride is processed around.  The women have a unique way of undulating cheers for the bride and honoring her. It is very impressive.  I was told that often the money thrown in the air is over 20,000.00 QR ($5,000.00) and all of it is given to charity. All of the women present were very complimented by the fact that the women worked so hard to educate us and make us feel welcome.We sat with two Italian women and several Qatari women. We all agreed to meet again and have coffee.(Will this ever really happen?)  The Qatari women really liked Mia and Veronica and actually invited them to come to their home for a family party!  The emotions were very high at the event and all of the women seemed to enjoy being together and talking openly about so many "forbidden" questions.  I think the Arab women are much more relaxed and free with the men gone.  This level of openness would never have been achieved if the men had been present. It was so wonderful.  They even had bedouin tents set up where girls/women could get henna tattoos painted on them, as they do at a wedding. As I explained in an earlier blog, the wedding party is actually separate parties with men at one location and women at another location.We were given henna to bring home. So, I guess I did get to attend a Muslim Wedding, of sorts, after all.