Najah al-Attar facts for kids

Najah al-Attar (born 10 January 1933) is a Syrian politician. She made history as the first Arab woman to hold the important position of Vice President of Syria. She served in this role from 2006 to 2024. Before that, she was the Minister of Culture for many years, from 1976 to 2000.

Early Life and Education

Najah al-Attar was born on January 10, 1933, in Damascus, which was then part of French Syria. Her family was Sunni Muslim. Her father was an early leader in the Arab nationalist movement. He took part in the Syrian revolt against French rule between 1925 and 1927.

Najah al-Attar was a dedicated student. She attended the University of Damascus and graduated in 1954. She then traveled to the United Kingdom to continue her studies. In 1958, she earned a PhD in Arabic literature from the University of Edinburgh. She also received special certificates in international relations and in literary and art criticism.

Her Career in Government

Najah al-Attar is a very skilled translator. After finishing her studies in Scotland, she began teaching in high schools in Damascus. Later, she worked in the translation department of the Syrian Ministry of Culture.

In 1976, she was given a big responsibility: she was appointed the Minister of Culture. In this role, she was in charge of promoting and preserving Syria's arts, heritage, and cultural activities. She held this position for a long time, until 2000.

On March 23, 2006, Najah al-Attar was appointed Vice President of Syria. This was a very important moment because she became the first Arab woman to ever hold such a high political office. As Vice President, she helped the president with various duties and decisions for the country. She served in this role until December 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Najah al-Attar para niños