The Arab Women Foundation's biggest mistake

Recently, the Arab Women Foundation withdrew their nomination of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, mother of the Emir of Qatar, from the seventh First Arab Ms Award 2017.

To state the obvious, the nomination withdrawal was clearly due to the current blockade against Qatar by it's neighbours.

It's unfortunate, however, as the entire purpose of celebrating women and their achievements is that they need to be supported, encouraged, and inspired. The battle for equality and human rights for women has been fought globally, bringing politics on this front is a step backwards - for all of us.

H.H. Sheikha Mozah is credited for transforming not just Qatar, but the region. She has made the desire to educate those in her country and throughout the region a top priority. There are numerous foundations and causes which Sheikha Mozah has spearheaded.

For instance, we can look at two organizations which Sheikha Mozah is the chairperson for - Reach Out to Asia, which is an organization with a mission to give youth access to education and training throughout the Asian continent. As well as, Education Above All, which specializes in providing education to youth in crisis areas such as the Gaza Strip.

In 13 years of living here, I have witnessed first hand how the level of education has improved amongst locals. How everyone, including females, have taken an ambitious step forward in trying to attain the highest levels of education possible. Qataris are becoming creative entrepreneurs and studying in all corners of the Earth.

In reverse, people from all corners of the Earth are sending their children to study in Qatar, at some of the most prestigious universities in the world at Education City.

Sheikha Mozah had a desire to see her country not just absorb easy wealth, but she wanted to use that wealth to invest in bettering her country, the region, the continent, and in some aspects, the world.

Women are light years ahead in Qatar because of her efforts. Granted, there is still room to improve, but no great change occurs overnight. And regardless, great change has, indeed, occurred.

Sheikha Mozah, you may have lost the support of some of your neighbours, but in turn, as God would have it, you received the support of the whole world in their stead.

Please continue forward with your strength and dignity, as you remain a beacon of light in a quickly darkening world.