Muna Abu Sulayman: Saudi Arabia's 'Oprah'

She could be easily dubbed the Saudi Arabian version of 'Oprah', though the TV program she co-hosts, an all-women talk show called 'Kalam Nawa'im' on pan-Arab channel MBC, much more resembles ABC's The View.

However, it is her actions not words that are putting Muna Abu Sulayman under a whole new spotlight these days.

She recently took a break from presenting and obtained a much more 'interactive' role in people's lives... like Oprah, instead of just 'talking' about people's problems, she decided to work on the ground trying to solve them.

Muna's new official job title, Director of The Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, is impressive in itself, and is now making headlines. This was also the case when she became one of the first Saudi women to host a show on Arab satellite television, which was until recently considered taboo.

As the name clearly suggests, the foundation is the charity arm of one of the world's wealthiest businessmen, Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz.

Abu Sulayman, who became Saudi Arabia's first woman to be appointed by the United Nations as a "Goodwill Ambassador" back in 2006, oversees operations and multi-million dollar projects in domains ranging from disaster relief to promoting Islam-West dialogue... again, this is remarkable when you consider that only a few years ago, women were very limited when it came to job choices in Saudi Arabia.

Muna was in London recently to oversee the first ever meeting of the directors of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Dialogue, a program that funds centers in six leading universities around the world (Georgetown, Harvard, Cambridge, Edinburgh, The American University of Beirut and The American University in Cairo).

Throughout the press conference following the directors meeting, which I covered for Asharq Al Awsat, Muna emphasized Alwaleed's aim to "maximize efficiency", "cut waste" and "ensure achievement of the center's goals".

She doesn't deny The 'Alwaleed Effect' and says, smiling, "when I first joined, I asked His Royal Highness to provide me with some executive training as I had no business experience, so I was sent to take a few courses"; she then adds, "but I realized later that working with him was my real executive training".

When I asked her how the financial situation affected her budget or scope of projects, she answered confidently: "Look, it is no secret that the crisis has hit everybody and that the Prince is heavily invested in the US, has a lot of assets around the world and is the largest individual holder in Citibank... so people can tell how much he has lost".

"However, he is still one of the richest people in the world... and because of what is happening (in the markets) people might think he is stopping his philanthropy; on the contrary he is fully committed to his charity goals no matter what happens".

And just how much money is donated to his charities? Muna says that, for example, the amount set aside for the promoting Islamic- Western dialogue project alone is 100 million USD.

My discussion with Muna was interrupted by a fellow American journalist who was covering the press conference.

Muna was asked about something she had mentioned during the conference, regarding new 'dialogue' centers in the coming years in both China and India. The follow up question was 'What about Israel?'

This is when I became 'all ears', as Muna smiled casually and replied: "Well, you know we don't have any ties with Israel... but if you were asking me if we will be interested in Jewish studies, then we absolutely are and we are completely aware of the difference between Jews and Zionists".

As the discussion turned a bit religious, I utilized the opportunity to ask Muna if she takes off her hijab when she is not in the public-eye.

She smiled at me saying "oh, no... I am a real 'Muhajaba'!".

I explained that I only asked because many women of similar social and academic backgrounds are, in reality, unveiled -- except when living inside Saudi Arabia or in 'official' photos.

It is also worth noting that Muna's hijab doesn't prevent her from shaking hands, talking to, or even working with men.

In fact, she looked quite elegant and took the time to wear some light make-up before the interview started.

I was also astonished to find out though that she is a mother of 2; the eldest is a 16 year old.

However, while many might argue against the whole concept of the hijab, Muna says there is no contradiction between being modern and wearing it.

She says that in many occurrences Islam and Muslim icons are "singled out" and "picked-on" in Western societies.

Muna, who has lived and studied in the US, thinks that although America is great place for people from all ethnicities and religious backgrounds, "sometimes [America] just doesn't live up to the hype around it".

Now, this is definitely a point worth debating... Perhaps on the real 'Oprah' show, sometime?

Muna and Professor John Esposito - 'Director of The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim - Christian Understanding' at Georgetown University during the conference. (Picture by: Hatim Oweida - Asharq Al Awsat)

Comments

[Khalid Othman]

go head, never, don't stop in any where.

it's good when our family beening better and better evry day

good luck my sister

I relly like that

and all of us proud of your

we love you

khalid - ksa - riyadh :)

[SaharKhalil]

For a Middle Eastern girl such as myself, whenever I feel that achievement and success in the Arab world for women is far or unreachable, I just have to remember Muna Abu Sulayman.

A lot of women have won the title of idols, but Muna Abu Sulayman is more than just an idol to the women of the Middle East, she is a breath of fresh air, she is the hope and aspiration of many girls. And thus, she has accomplished more than Opera can ever achieve- that is to allowing young girls to dream, knowing though, that their dreams can become a reality.

[Goldin RERE]

she is the perfect one in the right place god pless you all the time

[Siraj Kareem]

I dont think it is proper to compare Oprah with Muna, they are from different backgrounds/cultures, the variety of issues Oprah would be able to present on TV would be unimaginable to be portrayed in the Middle East by Muna & there is no point in comparing the two for the very fact that their work style/causes are totally different. As a Muslim women a lot has to be credited to her for being bold & focused on what she wants to do and it is this ability in her that has made her successful & made her an Icon. She is incredible/intelligent/charming and there are millions in the Middle East and around the Muslim population and among various other nationalities throughout the world who simply adore her for what she is and she has managed to achieve so much that lot of young men and women do look up to her for admiration. The fact that whatever she is today must be due to the top notch education, enormous support/courage to pursue her wishes, support of parents/siblings/ her children which lot of women would just dream of, made her the perfect combination of beauty/brains with a purpose to uplift so many women who couldnt make it. last but not the least whatever she is, she is simply the best in whatever she does.Compare or dont compare her to Ophrah she is the Queen of many a hearts who simply love her as their own.

[Suhail Attar]

It so great to see muslim ,arabic and saudi woman
and what from mekka! like 'Oprah' in too meny things
wow and posts write apout her am proud saudi boy but rely saudi woman
did more or like what saudi man did

[Abdullah Ali]

she is an ideal modern young lady and girl can simply follow her and take after her experience. good luck Abu Sulayman

[Firas El-Hanafi]

This is amazing and Muna Abusulayman is a person that we all as muslems and arabs feel are proud of her, she has an adorable personality and education.

Go Go Muna.....God bless you.

Dr.Firas El-Hanafi
London, Ontario
Canada

[Siraj Kareem]

Is there difference between between MUSLIMS AND ARABS

[Faisal Als]

Great Article ...


Muna AbuSulayman ... Be The Best

[HlaaGonzales]

she is my Role Model & we are all proud of her ...She represents Modern Saudi women and i think she is GREATER than Oprah...

[RaRa Smith]

A great article about a Great Lady...Muna Abusulayman is the best...
She is a great woman and she is the most popular Role Model For all Saudi women and Arabic & Muslim women...
i am very proud of her...