"It
would better serve non-natives and the common good of Belgium to work
as citizens on par with the country’s indigenous population,"
she added.
The
Arab Belgian minister remarked that naming her for the post came as a
surprise to herself and even political circles in the country, saying
she preferred not to be in the limelight.
"I
still see myself as a studious student and still learn the basics of
politics," said Tamsmani, who was chosen few days ago as an MP
for the district of Flanders.
Belgian
newspapers wrote that Tamsmani's appointment as a minister and MP was
not expected, given that she came in the eighth category on the
socialist party's slate.
Tamsmani,
in addition, was not one of the well-known non-native political
activists in the country.
She
had served in the outgoing government with the then minister of social
affairs and pensions Johan Vande Lanotte, who was promoted as deputy
prime minister and budget and private enterprise minister in the new
line-up.
Analysts
say Tamsmani’s appointment demonstrates the government's keenness on
improving the status of Arab and Muslim women and merging non-natives
into the country's political fabric.
Mother
The
Arab Belgian minister asserted that her new political career would not
take her from her message as a mother, adding her motherhood comes
first before the new post.
"My
motherhood will play a pivotal role in helping me draw up the
guidelines of my work.
"I
will put into consideration two basic rules: politics should work for
a prosperous future for the young generations irrespective of their
religions, cultures and races and keeping the image of the ideal
mother in the eyes of my daughters," she told IOL.
A
number of European countries have recently paid due attention to Arab
and Muslim women in comparison with their male peers, as women of Arab
and Muslim descent now play key roles in the political landscape of
these countries.
Taqia
Serf, an Algerian woman, was appointed in May 2002 as the minister of
sustainable development in the French government.
There
are four Muslim female MPs in the Dutch parliament in addition to
others who are members with Swedish, German and French municipalities.
