We need role models and I am trying to be a good one.
Here in the United Arab Emirates, they call me the Fat People Defender.
You see, life here is different than in the West. Many women here do not mix with men and many are not allowed to go out to gyms or even for a walk unless with the family and fully covered. Women suffer from the invading fashions and beauty myths they receive from the West. They are under pressure to look thin at any price, to be fashionable, desirable and to keep their husbands.
The size acceptance message is not very easy. It is a dream and a hope that they wish for but in real life, the social views have to change first to allow them to be able to live their lives accepting themselves. I tell women that I do not preach what I do not do. I wear the black veil, I cover my hair and I go out walking in the heat. I tell them, I have to live the same way you do.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates; it is a World-meeting place for business and technology and now the main media center in the (Persian) Gulf. It hosts CNN, Reuters, NBC and many local and international television and radio channels. They have numerous satellite channels, and Dubai Television is the main one.
Since we (ISAA) are a humanitarian organization, I am usually a guest once a month on a Dubai TV daily morning family show called "A Cup of Coffee." It covers all the aspects of life and receives top doctors and experts in many fields to answer the host's questions in that field and live questions from the audience.
My time on the show varies from 15 to 35 minutes, depending on the time and guests. I usually prepare the subjects I want to talk about and they are mainly related to size acceptance and health at any size. I get many calls live from the audience, asking me about size acceptance, and diets and how to lose weight. Many of them call to thank me for lifting their self-esteem and helping them feel better about themselves.
