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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Dec 17, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A female professor from Abu Dhabi is the first woman elected to the United Arab Emirates legislature.
Calling her election "an encouraging step toward wider participation in our progress," Amal Abdullah al-Qubaisi said she planned to make "several other more courageous moves," Dubai's Khaleej Times reports. "I feel I am full of energy to serve this country in as many ways as possible."
Qubaisi, an architect as well as a professor at United Arab Emirates University, said she would "work hard within and outside the house to serve the issues of the Emirati people," focusing not only on women, "but also on men and children."
The legislature, or Federal National Council, has 40 members. Half the seats were up for grabs -- the first time they were ever decided by a vote.
Until now, all council members were appointed by the rulers of the constituent states.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
