Al-ʻArūs
In 1910, Mary Ajami founded the journal al-ʻArūs (Arabic: العروس, meaning “The Bride”) in Alexandria, Egypt, and presented it to the readers as "a bride dedicated to the service of society”. The magazine contained three main sections: one for literature and history, another for domestic science, health, and childcare, and a third section for fiction, discussions, anecdotes, and recreations. Ajami served as an editor-in-chief and employed a small number of educated Christain girls on its editorial board, most of whom wrote under the first names to avoid recognition and harassment in the male dominant society. Ajami stated that she had contacted Western women colleagues who published leading women's magazines and obtained their promises to contribute to her magazine. This, she said, would encourage the main contributors of al-Arus to offer the best they can. Mary personally raised funds for the publication of the journal and turned it into one of the highest quality periodicals in the Arab world. The journal was an enormous success among Syria’s educated elite, especially women. But conservative Muslims fiercely condemned it and demanded its abolition. Al-Arus was temporarily suspended during World War I (1914-1918), then resumed publication in 1919, changing three publication places: Alexandria, Beirut, and Damascus. In 1926, the magazine ran out of funds, and the publication ceased.
Front page and editorial of the first issue of al-ʻArūs.
Publication Date: 1910-1914 and 1919-1926
Place: Damascus, Syria
Frequency: Monthly
Available as print and microfilm at AUB Libraries
Call number: 059:A86A and Mic-NA:0467
Library has: v.1-11 (1910 – 1925) in print and v.1-12 (1910-1926) on Microfilm
Sources
- Moubayed, S. (2006). Steel & silk : men and women who shaped Syria 1900-2000. Seattle, WA : Cune Press.
- جحا، ميشال. ماري عجمي. بيروت : رياض الريس، 2001.