Norway's youngest minister of all time creates newspaper headlines around the world. Hadia Tajik (29) is referred to as the best Norwegian ad in Arab countries since Gilbert and Fosse were Gaza doctors. – Scientist believes Hadja Tajik will be a role model for women around the world.
(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Historic. – Culture is a winning thing. It concerns us all. I will give priority to carving out a good Kulturløftet III, which will make good cultural offerings available to as many people as possible. Culture has an important democratic function, because it is about participation and the opportunity to express oneself freely.
This is what Norway's new Minister of Culture, Hadia Tajik (Labor Party), says to Ny Tid on Tuesday night. She has just finished her first official visit as a minister, symbolically enough at the diverse and symbol-heavy Kampen school in the capital, a short distance from her birth municipality Strand and her hometown Bjørheimsbygd in Rogaland.
Friday 21. In September, parliamentary representative Tajik Norway became the youngest minister, after assuming the post of Minister of Culture after Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap). Tajik knows the field as a cultural politician from the Storting:
- What values from Rogaland do you want to bring with you into the Government in order for you to possibly win the election next year?
- The healthy, social democratic common sense, Tajik answers.
Facsimile: New Time September 28th.
But for much of the world, something quite different from rogaland farmerism and cultural lifting is catching interest. Friday's appointment has made her the center of world press attention around Norway, 14 months after the July 22, 2011 terrorist attack.
The combination of young age, her multicultural and religious background, and the fact that she is a Norwegian-born woman, have so far created newspaper headlines in international media far beyond Europe's borders. The Indian newspaper The Hindu is one of the world's largest newspapers, with a circulation of almost two million copies daily. On September 25, the newspaper had a large spread on paper and net under the title "Woman of Pakistani origin is Norway's new Minister of Culture":
"In what can be described as a response to the terrorist's brutal attack on Norwegian multiculturalism, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg appointed the 29-year-old Muslim woman with a Pakistani background, Hadia Tajik, as Norway's new Minister of Culture. Tajik is the first Muslim and the youngest minister ever in Norwegian political history. " This is how The Hindu correspondent in Paris, Viju Naravane, began his article. To Ny Tid, she elaborates that the election can also give a new picture of Norway and Europe, in a time of caricature battles and protests:
- I see the new Minister of Culture in Norway as a protest against the groups that support the terrorist-convicted 33-year-old's attitudes to multiculturalism in Norwegian society. Getting a minister who is of a different ethnic background is a clear message to these actors that Norway wants an open and inclusive society, says Viju Naravane by phone to Ny Tid.
"Good, Norway!"
The Hindu correspondent has then called the Ny Tid editorial staff for help in obtaining an interview with the Minister of Culture, because she is ready to leave Paris for Norway on the day. Also several other of the world's major media are now queuing to get 
interview with the Labor politician. Naravane says that Minister Tajik – who has parents from western Pakistan – has already improved Norway's reputation in the world's largest democracy.
- The appointment of the new Minister of Culture improves the impression of Norway in India. After the child welfare case in Stavanger, many had received the impression of Norway as not very inclusive and culturally sensitive. The appointment of the new Minister of Culture improves this impression, says Naravane to Ny Tid.
Just two days after the Cabinet meeting, Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram dedicated the news to the headline: "29-year-old Muslim woman appointed as Norwegian Minister of Culture". The Tajik case was prioritized ahead of caricature demonstrations and a number of major conflicts.
"Tajik, who is of Pakistani origin, stated that her priority areas will be cultural inequality as part of Norwegian people's daily lives and how this reflects Norwegian society as a whole," Al-Ahram wrote.
Tajik himself is surprised by the media pressure and the positive publicity in the world press.
- The international attention came to me unexpectedly, says Tajik to Ny Tid.
Saudi Arabia's online newspaper Al Arabiya News, which is controlled by the royal family, mentioned the Tajik case on Sunday. Two days later, the article was cited nearly a thousand times on the social sites Twitter and Facebook. The article also comments on the opportunity to praise Norway's new Minister of Culture:
“By acting inclusively and learning more about each other, we will also learn to trust and understand that what binds us together is much greater than what separates us. Here's how to do it, Norway! Show the world the simple solution without resorting to weapons. Peace!" writes a reader in the article's comment box.
Greetings from the United States
Tajik is not only historical in Norway. She is also one of Western Europe's first ministers, both Muslim, woman and born in the country.
facsimile: The Hindu on Norway's new Minister of Culture.
- I think hiring Hadia Tajik as Minister of Culture will influence and inspire people around the world. People also in my home country Egypt have already noticed this. That such a young woman with a Muslim background has been given such an important position is a signal to the young people of the world that it is possible to influence in the West as well.
This is stated by senior researcher at the Christian Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen, Nefissa Naguib. She draws parallels from the Tajik debacle to both the Arab Spring and the Occupy Wall Street movement, which marked the one-year anniversary of September 17. Following the change of minister, Naguib has received several congratulations and praise on Norway's new Minister of Culture, including the United States. Tajik was a big Barack Obama fan herself in 2008. Now she seems to have gotten some Obama dust over her shoulders, perhaps especially seen with Arab women's eyes.
- From colleagues abroad, I have received many messages with the caption "Good job, Norway!". I have also been asked if this was a choice inspired by the Arab Spring and everything else that has happened in the world. I think the Tajik election works as a signal to young people that there is an opportunity to exercise influence, as long as you stand up. It also gives an incredibly positive impression of Norway as an open, positive society. It shows that we are a modern state, which takes into account that we live in a global time where we are together to decide, says Naguib.
The fact that it is the very Ministry of Culture 29-year-old Tajik will now govern, Naguib believes has an important symbolic value in itself.
- Tajik has not only been given a ministerial post, she has been given the important task of managing Norway's values. It is great that the government is showing that a young woman can have such a significant and important role. I think Tajik will stand as a source of inspiration for many young people. She speaks a language young people understand, I think that is important for the rising generation, says Naguib.
Pioneering Woman
"The job is the same no matter what age you are," a smiling and unassuming Hadia Tajik told the press, who had arrived at the Palace Square last Friday. But Tajik is now emerging as a pioneer woman for Norwegian youth with minority backgrounds, also by writers in Norway:
«The appointment of Hadia Tajik as the new Minister of Culture shows that Norway is committed to taking Muslims and minority culture seriously… Hadia Tajik can have the same significance for the young Muslim women of our time as Gro Harlem Brundtland once did for women women in the 1970s. Gro paved the way and showed that women both wanted and could. Hadia makes it clear to all good Muslim girls that they do not study in vain. If they are skilled enough, there are many opportunities, "writes Marita Synnestvedt on the blog Nyemeninger.no.
And that is what the CEO of the multicultural career site Ambisioner.no, Waseem Mirza, can sign:
- All young people, regardless of background, need role models. For young people with a minority background, I think it is especially important to have role models who have gone through the same cultural questions and challenges that they themselves have, says Mirza to Ny Tid.
He believes Tajik's religious background will also contribute to a more nuanced view of Muslims in the time to come.
- This confirms that not all Muslims are equal. The vast majority are skilled, integrated people. I hope this will help change the image that many people have of Muslims in Norway and in the world, says Mirza.
Young Hadia Tajik holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in human rights from Kingston University in England. Recently, she also received a master's in forensic science from the University of Oslo. In 2008, as a 25-year-old, she became the youngest political adviser to the Prime Minister's Office (SMK) ever. In 2009, she was elected to the Storting. About two months after her 29th birthday, she was given the position of Minister of State.
- I think Hadia with this constitutes a greater inspiration for young people with a minority background now than before. By becoming Minister of Culture at the age of 29, she shows that you can achieve a lot as long as you are engaged, says Mirza.
Then he has to go back to work. It is as if a few more doors have opened now.
This is the introduction to the main issue in the weekly magazine Ny Tid's issue 28.09.2012. Read more in this week's issue, on sale in stores across the country. Get the edition sent for free by subscribing (Abo@nytid.no)or click here.
