SHEIKH KHALID BIN ESSAM AL QASIMI OPENS THE 22ND SESSION OF THE SANABEL AL MAHABAH FESTIVAL
Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in the Emirate of Sharjah, the activities of the 22nd session of the Sanabel Al-Mahabah Festival were opened, which is organized over three days (January 30 - 31 and February 1, 2024) by Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS). This year, festival’s proceeds would go back to covering school fees for 30 students with mental disability. It is noted that the actual average cost per student during the academic year is (30 thousand dirhams). However, 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 SCHS, His Excellency Rashid Dimas Al Suwaidi, Director General and Commissioner of the Friends of Patients Charitable House, His Excellency Muhammad Abdullah bin Halis Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of the Al Bataeh Region. In addition to His Excellency Abdullah bin Salouma Al Ketbi, Director of the Municipality of the Al Bataeh Region, His Excellency Abdullah bin Khadem, Executive Director of the Sharjah Charitable Society, and Colonel Dr. Jassim Al Suwaidi from the Sharjah Police General Command. His Excellency Dr. Omar Fathi Jabr, several members of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah, directors of government departments in the eastern and central regions, in addition to representatives of the Malabar Gold and Diamond Company, a large number of students and teachers of private and government offices, the schools of Ministry of Education, parents and the general public participated as well.
On this special day, the Chairman of the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Essam Al Qasimi, emphasized the value of empowering individuals with disabilities and integrating them into society by offering all services that are appropriate for their needs.
His Excellency made note of the fact that organizing meaningful celebrations and events, such as the Sanabel Al Mahabah Festival, which is put on by the Al Wafa School for Capacity Development of the SCHS, fosters social inclusion and community partnerships while inspiring community members to help educate and empower those with disabilities.
Her Excellence the Director General of SCHS, Ms. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, gave an explanation of the organization's ongoing desire to grow and strengthen partnerships with organizations and entities on a local, regional, and global scale in order to consistently improve the services it offers to people with disabilities in compliance with best practices around the world.
She said, “The Sanabel Al-Mahabah Festival has been organized by SCHS since 1998. Its goal is to realize the concept of community partnership by enlisting the help of community members in promoting the education and self-determination of individuals with mental disabilities and by providing cutting-edge tools and resources that align with the best practices in the field of special education”.
In stating that humanitarian services continue to carry out their mission in collaboration with people and institutions of society, Her Excellency the Director General of SCHS affirmed the right of people with disabilities to equality, education, inclusion, advocacy, empowerment, and other services that SCHS provides out of its belief in their cause, its justice, and its duty towards them.
She added, “We thank the sponsors and appreciate the efforts of our partners in success, who contributed to the success of the Sanabel Al-Mahabah Festival”. The main sponsor is Friends of Patients Charitable House in Sharjah. The sub-sponsor is Al-Qaid International General Trading. The supporting sponsor is the Department of Civil Aviation, the Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Malabar Gold, and Taurus Company for foodstuffs. The strategic partner is the Municipality of Al Bataeh Area. Partners are Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Cooperative Society. Bee’ah, and media partners are Rimal International Advertising and Publicity Company, Sharjah Radio and Television Authority, and Emirates Vision Media Network. SCHS's strategic partners are Dubai Islamic Bank and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Her Excellency the Director General of SCHS was accompanied by His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi. The accompanying team had a tour of several courses at Al Wafa School for Capacity Development and gave a thorough description of the procedures and policies the school uses to educate and train individuals with disabilities in compliance with global best practices.
The tour also included portions of the Sanabel Al Mahab Festival, where visitors saw the art exhibition, the festival's pavilions, and corners, and took part in cultural, artistic, and entertainment events alongside parents, schoolchildren without disabilities, and students with disabilities. Some of the activities included selling food and beverages from participating restaurants, a range of product sales, a visit to the Emirati heritage section, leisure pursuits, and games.