Sharjah24: Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Sheikh Khaled bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, the 22nd edition of the Sanabel of Love Festival was inaugurated. The festival is organized by Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, affiliated with the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. It spans three days (January 30-31 and February 1, 2024), and its proceeds this year will cover the school fees for 30 students with intellectual disabilities. The actual average cost per student during the academic year is AED 30,000, and the school provides its services to 300 students with disabilities.
The opening ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services; His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah bin Hulis Al Kutbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Batayeh Area, His Excellency Abdullah bin Sulaima Al Kutbi, Director of the Municipality of Al Batayeh Area, His Excellency Abdullah bin Khadem Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Sharjah Charity International , Colonel Dr. Jassim Al Sweidi from the General Command of Sharjah Police, His Excellency Dr. Omar Fathi Jabr, and several members of the Sharjah Consultative Council, as well as directors of government departments in the Eastern and Central regions, representatives from Malabar Gold and Diamonds company, a large number of students and teachers from the Ministry of Education's private and public schools, parents, and the general public.
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Khaled bin Essam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, emphasized the importance of empowering and integrating people with disabilities into society by providing all the services that meet their needs.
He pointed out that organizing purposeful events and festivals, including the Sanabel of Love Festival organized by Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, contributes to enhancing community partnership, social integration, and motivating community members to contribute to enabling and educating people with disabilities.
Her Excellency Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director-General of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, highlighted the city's constant commitment to developing and enhancing cooperation with local, Arab, and international institutions and organizations in order to continuously improve the services provided to people with disabilities according to the best global practices.
She stated that since 1998, SCHS has been organizing the Sanabel of Love Festival with the aim of achieving the principle of community partnership by involving community members in supporting the education and empowerment of individuals with intellectual disabilities and providing modern means and technologies according to the best practices in special education.
The Director-General of SCHS, affirmed the rights of people with disabilities in equality, education, inclusion, advocacy, and empowerment, as well as other services provided by the city to them, in recognition of their cause, justice, and the city's duty towards them. She explained that humanitarian services continue to fulfill their mission in collaboration with individuals and institutions in the community.
She added: We thank the sponsors and appreciate the efforts of the successful partners who contributed to the success of the Sanabel of Love Festival, the supporting sponsor Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Malabar Gold, Toros Food Company, the strategic partner Al Batayeh Municipality, and other partners such as Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Cooperative Society, Bee'ah, media partners including Ramal International Advertising Company, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, UAE Vision Media Network, and strategic partners of the city, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Director-General of the city accompanied His Excellency Sheikh Khaled bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi and the accompanying delegation on a tour of several classrooms at Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, providing a comprehensive explanation of the methods and mechanisms of education and training for people with disabilities adopted in the school according to the best international practices.
The tour also included the Sanabel of Love Festival, with a visit to the art exhibition, pavilions, and sections of the festival, and an overview of the cultural, artistic, and entertainment activities witnessed and participated in by students with disabilities, students from non-disabled schools, and parents. These activities included the sale of various food and drinks with the participation of some external restaurants, the sale of a variety of goods, a visit to the Emirati heritage corner, and entertainment activities and games
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