New York - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Europe and the Arabs
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed, called for working to realize “Islam’s call to justice, equality, and the pursuit of knowledge by building a more equitable world for all.” According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning.
The Deputy Secretary-General spoke at the opening session of the International Conference on Women in Islam, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, during the period from 6 to 8 November in the city of Jeddah.
Amina Mohammed expressed her appreciation to the organizers for developing a platform where women’s voices are amplified, where they not only talk about the struggle to survive but to thrive – and where women look forward to a future where their rights are no longer a question but an undeniable reality.
Amina Mohammed praised the steps taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards a rapid and profound transformation in which women and youth play a decisive role in shaping the future.
The situation in Gaza
The Deputy Secretary-General expressed her regret that this conference is being held in the midst of a humanitarian crisis “unfolding in Israel and Gaza, where innocent children have been kidnapped and thousands more killed, all of them bearing the brunt of this war without having a safe place to go.”
She renewed the Secretary-General's strong condemnation of any killing of civilians and taking them hostage, including women and children, calling for their unconditional release, as well as the need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, a humanitarian ceasefire, and the unhindered access of necessary humanitarian aid to people. in Gaza. She added:
“We, in this region and the world, must do everything we can to end this horrific violence, pain and suffering and return to the peace table... Our Islamic faith requires us to care for our neighbors in times of need.”
Exceptional feminist contributions to Islamic civilization
Amina Mohammed called for recognition of the exceptional contributions made by women to Islamic civilization - from decision-making, to advising leaders and treating the sick, to teaching, campaign financing and even martyrdom, she said.
She explained that Islam, from its beginning, recognized the right of women to participate in political decision-making, inheritance, and own property and businesses. However, after many centuries, women still lag behind in many countries and in many areas of life. She went on to say:
“I am honored to be part of the discussion and contribution on how to return to Islam’s original and beautiful vision of measuring an individual not by their gender, but by the strength of their faith and the virtues of their deeds.”
Three fronts of action
Ms. Amina Mohammed said that this conference demonstrates that it is possible to create a different world - a world in which the dignity of all is respected and protected. She highlighted three fronts that she said work could begin to correct mistakes:

First, education:
In this regard, Amina Muhammad stressed the need for us to make more efforts to guarantee the right to education for all, especially women and girls everywhere, because the Holy Qur’an commands us to do so through the noble verse: “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”

Second, economic empowerment:
Here she said that enhancing economic opportunities and rights for women and girls is not just a matter of fairness or equality; It is a matter of justice, progress and prosperity for the entire society.
Third, peace:
We must strengthen women's leadership - especially in matters of conflict resolution, mediation and maintaining peace, Amina Mohammed said.