Historic honour

She was elected as the first woman president of Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA). Ms Ahdeya received 71 votes while her only competitor in the biennial election Youssef Albinkhalil, the editor-in-Chief of Al Watan, got 67.

The fraternity also elected the eight members of the board of the association established in 2001 for all journalists based in Bahrain regardless of their nationality. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier and Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, sent cables of congratulations to Ms Ahdeya on the remarkable achievement.

Among the dignitaries and senior government officials who congratulated the new BJA president were House Speaker Fawzia Zainal, Information Minister Ali Al Romaihi and Shura Council Chairman Ali Al Saleh.

A post-graduate in mass communication from the University of Leicester, Ms Ahdeya began her journalistic career with Gulf Daily News in the year 1991. She also worked for Bahrain Television and Bahrain Tribune before taking up her role as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune.