The Australian Governor General’s Wife, Her Excellency Marlina Jeffrey officially opened "Gifts of the Arab World," a bazaar held at Glebe Park in Canberra on Saturday 10th December, the bazaar was organized by the “Arab and Australian Women’s Friendship association” in conjunction with the wives of Arab ambassadors to Australia. The bazaar was attended by Ms Diana Rahman, Acting President, Arab and Australian Women’s Friendship Association, Mr. Brendan Smyth, Leader of the ACT Opposition, Members of the ACT Assembly including Arab ambassador and member of diplomatic missions in Canberra.

The festival includes a bazaar and pavilions for sale of gifts and dresses in addition to the traditional Gulf and Arab dishes including dishes from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria and Palestine. Mrs Marlena Jeffrey opened the bazaar by welcoming and thanking the Arab and Australian Women’s Friendship Association for what they have achieved in just nine months. She thanked the members of the association “who have shown wonderful initiative in creating this experience. And whose ideals, goodwill and energy have captured the support of diplomatic missions, the corporate sector and civic representatives.” Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Amal Mohamad Masoud, wife of the Saudi ambassador to Australia H.E Mr. Hassan Nazer, expressed her satisfaction and happiness over the organization of the festival. “It is worth mentioning that the Arab and Australian Women’s Friendship association, which includes in its membership ladies of Australian and Arab origin, aims at enhancing cultural exchange and enhancing relations between the Arab world and Australia.” H.E Marlina Jeffrey accepts a gift from H.E Ambassador Hassan Nazer and his wife Amal Masoud .