Zahira Abdin

Zahira Hafez Abdin (Arabic: زهيرة حافظ عابدين), (June 15, 1917 – 2002) was an Egyptian paediatrician and specialist in rheumatic heart disease, known as the "Mother of Egyptian Medicine." She is also known for her extensive charitable work.

Early life and education Zahira Abdin was born on 15 June 1917 in Cairo. She was a daughter of Hafez Hussein Abdin, a lawyer, She went to Heliopolis Primary School and the Princess Fawzia Secondary School.

Academic and Medical Work In 1951, Abdin established a private clinic in downtown Cairo. and led the school to international recognition. Zahira Abdin also co-founded the Association of Egyptian Women Doctors, editing its journal's first issues.

At the request of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Abdin presided over the struggling Young Women's Muslim Association, leaving it stable after her twenty years work there.

In her work, Abdin's collaborated with a number or popular and political figures, including Umm Kulthum, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, Jehan Sadat, Suzanne Mubarak, and Hikmat Abu Zayd.

Awards Abdin was awarded the Republic’s Order of Merit of the First Degree. Abdin was the first Egyptian doctor, and the first Arab doctor, to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London.

In 1990 the First Lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak, awarded her the honorary title ‘Mother of Egyptian Doctors’. In 1991 she was the first woman from outside Europe to receive the Elisabeth Norgall prize.

Personal life In 1943, Abdin married Abdel Moneim Abdul Fadl, accompanying him to pursue a PhD in England. The pair had three daughters and one son. Mona Abul Fadl was a professor of political science at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science. Hoda Abdul Al-Fadl is a professor of pathology at Al-Qasr Al-Ayni. Omar Abdul-Fadl was an engineer. Adda Abdul Fadl, is Professor of Pediatrics at Benha University.