Qatar's Sheikah Mozah

During a recent consulting engagement, I had to opportunity to learn more about Qatar, a Middle Eastern country about which I had previously known very little. As impressed as I've been with the accomplishments of the current Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, I must say that I've been even more impressed by those of one of his wives, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned.

She has been a powerful force for social and economic change in her country. She spearheaded efforts to give Qatari women the right to vote, to hold public office, and to dress as they please. She has been at the forefront of Qatar's push to become a global center for education, innovation, and media. She has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in the world and as one of the most influential business leaders in the Middle East. All of this would be impressive on its own, but taken in the context of Qatar's adherence to traditional Muslim notions on the role of women, it is that much more impressive.

Here are a couple of interesting pieces on Her Highness: