Al-Fatah (magazine)


Al-Fatah was an Arabic women's magazine published in Alexandria, Egypt. The magazine was the first Arab women's magazine and was one of the earliest publications in the country. It was published from 1892 to 1894.

History and profile

Al-Fatah was launched by Hind Nawfal, a Lebanese Christian woman, in Alexandria in 1892. Nawfal's father and sister also contributed to the establishment of the magazine of which the first issue appeared on 30 November 1892. Elisabeth Kendall stated that Nawfal had achieved a "fiery fusion of the political and literary".
Al-Fatah was published by Nawfal for two years. She also wrote editorials for the magazine, which was published monthly in its initial stage. Later it began to be published twice a month due to its growing popularity.
Being the first women's magazine in the country as well as in the Arab countries Al-Fatah initiated the tradition of the women's press in Egypt. The magazine covered biographies of notable figures in addition to news towards women. In addition, the magazine included book reviews, poems and fashion articles. Al-Fatah encouraged the participation of women in public life and debates and advocated modern ideals for women. Therefore, it provided secular content and was a truly feminist magazine.
Al-Fatah ceased publication in 1894 when the founder and publisher Nawfal married and stopped dealing with the magazine. The complete archive of the magazine was republished by the Women and Memory Forum in Egypt.