The most senior female politician in the Arab world will speak in Waterford's Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi is the first woman elected to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) assembly, the first female leader of the Emirates national parliament, the first such female leader in the entire Arab world and now speaker and president of the National FederalCouncil in the UAE.
Former President Mary McAleese will also speak at the event, and the National Youth Orchestra will perform three pieces of Irish music.
Dr Al Qubaisi was conferred with an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy at Dublin City University on Thursday.
The event in Waterford takes place at noon tomorrow and Maria Janssen, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, says it's a fantastic opportunity to hear a truly remarkable woman:
"Many diplomats and people who are interested in world peace will turn up to listen to her. But I'm hosting the event mainly for the people of Waterford to come and hear a woman who is going to change some of our perceptions about Muslim women, about what is going on in the world, and maybe offer a different way of doing politics than what we hear in the public domain."
Dean Janssen says she hopes perceptions will be changed as a result of the visit.
Entrance is free and all are welcome. Proceedings are due to last for about one hour.
