JORDAN TIMES, September 22, 2005

A 'Bike Ride for Peace'

By Mohammad Ghazal

JABER BORDER — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Wednesday received a group of women cyclists from 30 countries who are cycling in support of the Middle East peace process.
The 300 participants in the Follow the Women Bike Ride for Peace, began their 10-day journey in Beirut on Sept. 15, and have cycled their way through Syria, into Jordan, and are scheduled to head to Jericho in Palestine today.
Upon arriving at the Jaber border post yesterday, the women, aged 18-70, were welcomed in a traditional bedouin tent with the celebratory sound of bagpipes while being served a customary cup of Arabic coffee.
During their short break, Queen Rania, who was visiting a nearby village, dropped in to join local community residents and students in welcoming the cyclists who are part of the Follow the Women organisation.
Made up of women who aspire to achieve peace and security in the Middle East, the international organisation raises funds to provide counselling, support, education and training for women and children traumatised by the situation in the region, as well as on youth projects promoting tolerance, understanding and peace.
Queen Rania commended their efforts, stressing that such an initiative illustrates how women can be a force-of-change in their respective communities.
Following the meeting with the cyclists, the Queen joined the Jordanian team, comprised of 12 women, along part of the route.
Working in different sectors and fields the participants represent Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Canada, the US, Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Iran, Poland and Jordan, to name a few.
The Bike Ride for Peace, established in 2002 by former European Woman of the Year and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Detta Regan, initially started off as a youth exchange programme before becoming a bona fide organisation, which also aims to promote the beauty, accessibility and general safety of the region as a destination for foreign visitors.
Regan told The Jordan Times that the idea behind the bike ride is to show the world that people in the Middle East, a place full of conflict, want peace and security.
“By having this event, we seek to deliver a message to politicians and world leaders that people in this region want peace,” Regan said.
“One woman working for peace makes news but thousands of women working for peace makes history,” Regan explained.
Fattuh Younes, the leader of the Jordanian team, said the event seeks to enhance ties between Arab and foreign women and to show that women can play an active role in bringing women's issues to the forefront.
Rana Abu Farhah, a 24-year-old participant from the West Bank city of Ramallah said: “We are determined and insistent on [achieving] peace and security, we all need a peaceful life.”
Faye Price, a 28-year-old woman, who is working in a beauty salon in Mallorca, said: “I left my `crazy' little sister at home to join the women in this unusual event of bicycle riding to promote peace and exchange view points.”
“Before I came to the Middle East and [interacted with] Arab women I thought they [possessed] little freedom and rights, but after talking to them I discovered that we have a lot of things in common. We all want peace and stability,” Price told The Jordan Times.
British national, Sophia Maque, a 26-year-old participant, said: “ I am very privileged to take part in this event, and I am truly proud to be part of this group seeking to back peace.”
“My friends in Britain used to feel strange about Muslim women who are veiled, but after riding side-by-side [perceptions have changed] we are all same with many things in common, “ added Maque.
The group is expecting to meet another group of cyclists once arriving in Jericho, where they will then continue to Jerusalem together, before reaching their final destination of Ramallah.
This is the Bike Ride for Peace's second trip to Jordan. Last year, a similar event was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma.
During this year's journey, the cyclists met the first lady of Syria, Asma Al Assad, after being hosted by Bahiyya Al Hariri (sister of late Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al Hariri).
The group is set to return to Jordan on Sept. 24.
Thursday, September 22, 2005