Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi
Technocrat, Business Whiz Kid in black robes and the first Woman Gov
Oman, Bahrain and Qatar already have women ministers but Sheikha Lubna’s position is the most senior amongst the countries of the Arabian Gulf. She was appointed during a government reshuffle and the merging of several ministries in November 2004.
Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi is a member of the Sharjah royal family and a graduate of California State University, Chico where she obtained a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. She later added an MBA from the American University of Sharjah.
Sheikha Lubna was Dubai branch manager of the General Information Authority then moved to the Information Systems Department of the Dubai Ports Authority where she was awarded the Distinguished Government Employee Award in 1999. In 2000 she was appointed Chief Executive of Tejari the Dubai based, Middle East online marketplace. Under her leadership Tejari achieved the Best e-Content Provider in e-business award from the World Summit for Information Society and the Super Brand of 2003 award from the UAE Super Brands Council.
Seen as a positive role model for you women in the Emirates, Sheikh Lubna al Qasimi is the face of modern Arab women but enough of a traditionalist to dress in black abaya and shayla robes.
