Women’s literary salons and Societies in the Arab World

The tradition of women’s literacy circles in the world dates back to pre- Islamic period when the eminent literacy figure Al- Khansa, would stand in the ‘Ukaz market in Mecca, reciting her poetry and airing her views on the scholarship of others. At a societal level, the Christian missionaries supported by European led to the creation of a formal system of education for girls, who had until this period received little or no education. Thus the idea that girls should receive an education so as to afford those better marriage prospects and to provide them with educates means in which to educate their children. At this point in time, the range of subjects offered to women was limited.