JEDDAH, 22 January 2007 — Maha Akeel has been appointed managing editor of The Journal, an English magazine to be published by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). She is the first Saudi woman journalist to hold such a post.
Maha, who has worked for Arab News as a reporter for five years, said her selection to the post reflected the growing presence of Saudi women in different spheres.
She said the magazine was aimed at promoting the organization’s activities and its position on global issues as well as introducing Arab and Islamic culture and improving interaction with the outside world.
Dr. Isam Shanti is the chief editor of the magazine, which will be published from Jeddah, Maha said, adding that it would have correspondents all over the Islamic world.
Maha received her BA in information from California University and her MA in information from Calgary University in Canada.
She has written a large number of articles and reports on social, health, educational and economic matters for Arab News.
Maha has also been a member of the international relations committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has attended a number of seminars on the role of Saudi women in the media.
