Palestinian-born Suzanne Al Houby became first Arab Woman to reach Summit of Mount Everest

Palestinian-born and UAE-based mother of two, Suzanne Al Houby, on 21 May 2011 became the first Arab woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

Originally from Jaffa, Palestine, 40-year-old Al Houby reached the 8,848-metre peak at after spending 51 days scaling Mount Everest as part of a four-person team, three of whom successfully reached the summit.

In 2003, Al-Houby became the first Arab woman to reach Everest Base Camp, the first to ascend Mount Elbrus, the highest point in Europe, and the first Palestinian woman to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. She has successfully reached the summit of the highest mountains on five of the world's seven continents.

Since Mount Everest was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, approximately 100 women have accomplished the feat.