Zaynab Fawwaz

Her work came to a climax during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the start of the twentieth century in Egypt.[3]

Little is known of Zaynab's early life and her exact date of birth is uncertain.[4] In Joseph Zeidan's account, Zaynab Fawwāz represents a unique phenomenon among pioneering women writers. She was from a poor illiterate Shiite family in the village of Tabnīn in southern Lebanon. As a girl she served as a maid at the palace of ʿAlī Bey al-Asʿad al-Ṣaghīr. Her work at the palace brought her into contact with Fāṭimah al-Khalīl, the prince's wife, who was a poet. Fāṭimah al-Khalīl recognized her intellectual potential and began to tutor her.[5] Zaynab married Khalil Bey Al-Assaad, a falconer, but the marriage did not succeed. She separated from him and moved to Damascus with her father. There she married a Damascene writer, Adib Nazmi, but divorced him, too. After moving to Syria, she married an officer in the Egyptian military and relocated to Egypt. She lived in Alexandria and embarked on a literary career, writing letters that were published in the main newspapers of Egypt, making a name for herself in the cultural milieu. During this time, she also wrote two novels. In 1894, she published a biographical dictionary called "الدر المنثور في طبقات ربات الخدور/al-Durr al-manthur fi tabaqat rabbat al-khudur" or The Book of Scattered Pearls Regarding Categories of Women.[6] Unusual at that time, Zaynab along with Aisha Taymur were the only forerunners who had the courage to express in writing. Fawwaz issued her works and articles in many papers such as Al-Moayyed, Al-Nile, Al-Ahali, Al-Liwaa, Al-Ustaz, Al-Fata, and others. Her work was mainly focused on encouraging the freedom of education, especially women's education. Although she married more than once, she never had any children.

When Zaynab moved to Alexandria, Egypt, she became the student of the poet and owner of Al-Nil Magazine, Hasan Husni Pasha Al-Tuwayrani. Under his guidance, she began to write articles on social issues affecting women, under the pseudonym of Durrat al-Sharq (Pearl of the East).[7] According to the Critical Reference Guide of Arab Women Writers, Fawwaz was "the first woman's voice calling for the women's awakening and defending their rights, humanity, and equality with men." It was during her stay in Damascus with her second husband, the writer Adib Nazmi al-Dimashqi, that Zaynab Fawwaz founded a literary salon. As she wore the "niqab" and could not sit with the male participants; she would sit in another room of the house conducting the discussion, with her husband acting as the messenger for her and her guests.[10] Besides her journalism, Zaynab was particularly noted for her "الدر المنثور في طبقات ربات الخدور", (The Book of Scattered Pearls Regarding Categories of Women, 1894–95), a large-folio, 552-page biographical dictionary of some 456 women and their achievements.[11] It is important to note that Zaynab did not write anything about herself in this work, but rather she celebrated and supported other women's achievements. Zaynab also wrote two novels and a play, putting her at the forefront of the emergence of the novel in Arabic. Her first novel was "حسن العواقب", (The Happy Ending, 1899) and is considered to be the first novel written by an Arab female. In this novel, Zaynab dared to criticize the society in which she lived. This act was considered very courageous and heroic. In her writing, Zaynab showed that she supports women's free will and decision-making. She also glorified women's self-esteem and confidence. It is believed that Zaynab's intention behind this novel is to praise women's strength and perseverance as well as their rights in education. She also showed that marriage should be based on love and understanding. Her play, "الهوى والوفاء" (Love and Faithfulness, 1893), was the first play written in Arabic by a woman.[12] Zaynab has many other published books including:[13] • "الرسائل الزينبية", in which she argued about women's rights in education and in the work field. • "مدراك الكمال في تراجم الرجال" • "الجوهر النضيد في مآثر الملك الحميد" • "الملك قوروش" al-Malik Qurush (King Cyrus), published in 1905[14][15]

Unfortunately, it is hard to track the real influence and impact that Zaynab had on her surroundings. Many Syrian researchers and writers have said that they've heard of Zaynab's name but her writings remain strange to them. However, Zaynab did leave an impact on many people in Syria, where a school was named after her. Also, most of Zaynab's writings are not present in any library and remain forgotten. It's believed that this neglect towards Zaynab's publications is due to her social class. Zaynab belonged to a less fortunate family and lived a very simple and modest life.

Zaynab Fawwaz died in 1914, in Cairo, Egypt.[18]

The authorities additionally record the heading Durrat al-Sharq. Her recorded language was Arabic. Her recorded confession was Islam. She married Adib Nazmi.

Zaynab Fawwaz is recorded as salonnière, women's rights activist, poet, novelist and playwright.