Her Story ... Feminist & Activist
V. Launch of Bint Al Nil
Milestones:
DS launches Bin Al Nil magazine in Arabic 1945
Palestine 1946, DS impressed with the women's movement
Doria came under heavy criticism from all quarters for her working on a French language publication and its association with Princess Chevikar and her entourage who were perceived as being out of touch with the country and its issues. Doria decided to quell these attacks by launching an Arabic language magazine and in late 1945 - Bint Al-Nil (Daughter of the Nile) was born. In collaboration with her husband, Nour and Dr. Ibrahim Abdu (a longtime collaborator of Doria’s, on this magazine and on future books), this new publication focused on women’s issues, nutrition and health information and advice on parenting. The target audience was the educated and affluent middle class; the 10-piaster price tag meant it was beyond the reach of the larger segments of the population. Additionally, by publishing in Arabic, Bint al-Nil did not include the Turco-Circassian elite of the country that was predominantly French speaking.
With Abdu’s invaluable professional support, Doria wrote regular editorials for her new magazine. After a visit to Palestine in 1946 to discuss the role of Egyptian women in society at a series of lectures, Doria came back impressed with what she saw in Egypt’s neighboring country. “They are always right beside the men of Palestine during troubled times. This is a true reflection of the strength of the women’s movement in Palestine. These are women who helped and supported not just Arab women from Palestine, but Arab women everywhere.”
