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Najah Al-AttarSyrian politician
Date of Birth: 10.01.1933
Country:  Syria |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic Pursuits
- Early Career
- A Trailblazing Minister
- Post-Ministerial Career
- Board Member and Trustee
- Vice President
- Literary Contributions and Affiliations
- Prestigious Affiliations
Early Life and Education
A Girl from a Political FamilyNajjah al-Attar was born in Damascus into a family deeply involved in Syrian politics. Her father was a respected aristocrat and a vocal supporter of the nationalist movement. He actively participated in the Syrian Revolution of 1925-1927.
Academic Pursuits
In 1954, Najjah graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Damascus University. She continued her studies in pedagogy and Islamic studies, eventually earning a PhD in Arabic literature from the University of Edinburgh.
Early Career
From Teacher to BureaucratUpon her return to Damascus, Najjah worked as a schoolteacher before being appointed as the Head of the Literary Translation Department at the Ministry of Culture in 1969.
A Trailblazing Minister
In 1973, she became the first woman in Syria to hold a ministerial position when she was appointed Minister of Culture by President Hafez al-Assad. She remained in this role for 24 years, serving under four prime ministers.
Post-Ministerial Career
Promoting DialogueAfter the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bashar al-Assad appointed Najjah al-Attar as the Director of the Center for Dialogue of Civilizations. This academic organization focused on research, discussions, and publications on global politics in the post-9/11 world.
Board Member and Trustee
From 2003 to 2010, Najjah served as a member of the board of directors at Kalamoun University, a renowned Syrian private university. She also became a member of the board of trustees of the Syrian Virtual University, which pioneered online education in Syria.
Vice President
In 2006, she made history by becoming the first woman in the Arab world to hold the position of Vice President. She held the post of Vice President for Cultural Affairs.
Literary Contributions and Affiliations
A Literary VoiceNajjah al-Attar is an accomplished author and member of the Union of Arab Writers. She has collaborated with renowned Syrian writer Hanna Mina on several literary works.
