Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), has confirmed that she is so proud of the achievements of persons with disabilities and their ability to innovate in various fields. Since its inception in 1979, the city has believed in their energies and capabilities. The city has been working hard to include, advocate, empower, educate and integrate persons with disabilities according to the best international practices.
This came after the honorable and distinguished participation of the city within the sixth session of Awladna International Art Forum for the Gifted in Egypt. The forum lasted from 15 to 21 September 2022 under the slogan “We are all human”. More than 34 delegations from Arab and foreign countries participated.
Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila said, “Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services is the first pioneering institution in the United Arab Emirates to employ art in serving the issues of persons with disabilities. The city established the Emirates Group for Special Art in 1995 to be the first specialized artistic group to discover and train creative people with disabilities. The city also founded the Art for All Center “Falaj” in 2017 to be a natural extension of it”.
The city’s president has praised the well organization of the Awladna Art Foundation for People with Special Abilities’ Forum, headed by Ms. Suhair Abdel Qader. She also praised city’s fruitful participation in it. Her Excellency Dr. Nevin Al-Kilani, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, honored Sheikha Sultan Al Qasimi, the City’s Self-Advocacy Coordinator and Spokesperson for the rights of people with disabilities. Sheikha Sultan received a certificate of appreciation for her efforts in achieving her dreams and inspiring many people.
Alia Abdel Qader, affiliated with the “Solo Playing Project” at the Art Center for All Falaj, played the piano magnificently at the Forum. The opening of the forum included displaying the film “Kite”, produced by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and starring its students. The idea of the film talks about a child who dreams of changing the world through messages sent to everyone.
During the art exhibition associated with the forum, which Her Excellency Nevin Jameh, Minister of Social Solidarity inaugurated, the employees of the Art for All Center “Falaj” of the city presented 11 paintings that received admiration and appreciation, by the Minister. She praised the creativity of the students of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and their remarkable participation. She highly appreciated students’ talents, efforts, and those in charge of its care and development in the city.
In the forum, Sheikha Al Qasimi also presented a workshop on the principles of self-advocacy, in the presence of a large number of participants. She talked about the importance of self-advocacy. The self-advocate can speak on behalf of people who cannot protect themselves, lead the movement for change, raise community awareness, and know their rights, as everyone has the right to expression.
The city delegation participating in the forum, headed by Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, included Dr. Asmaa Al Darmaki, Director of the Kallba Branch. Mr. Muhammad Bakr, Supervisor of the Art for All Center, Sheikha Al Qasimi, Ms. Hamda Al Ketbi, Teacher and Professional Guide of Sheikha Al Qasimi, and student Alia Abdel Qader were part of the delegation as well.
Her Excellency the President of the city, during her meeting with the Minister of Solidarity, Nevin Jameh, has confirmed that the city’s vision for art is not limited to its creative value only, but also includes its psychotherapeutic side and its role in spreading feelings of hope and joy. The city is keen to benefit from advanced global expertise and experiences. Moreover, the city was a well-deserved member of the International Society for Very Special Art and maintained it year after year, renewed with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the International Organization for Arts and Disability, both in Washington, DC.
In order to achieve the greatest benefit not only for persons with disabilities but for society in general, the Art for All Center began more than two years ago to provide its services in various fields of arts for persons without disabilities as well. This provided more opportunities to integrate its affiliates of persons with disabilities with their colleagues and exchange experiences among them. .
Source: Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services