Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and School of Creative Science allow special needs children to experience Hajj

Children with mental and physical disabilities join school students to celebrate Eid Al Adha

Sharjah, December 28, 2006: Mentally and physically-challenged children from the Early Intervention Centre and Al-Amal Nursery for the Hearing Impaired, both of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) had the opportunity to experience Hajj today when they joined kindergarten students from the School of Creative Science (SCS) in Sharjah performing symbolic rites of Hajj as part of the school's Eid Al Adha celebrations.

The special needs children, including the hearing impaired, participated in the school's activity representative of the Hajj ritual, circling the 'Kabah' while reciting prayers and supplications. The annual activity is part of the school's programme to help them to understand the teachings of Islam from an early age.  

Commenting on the joint activity with SCHS, Huda Al Kadri, a teacher at SCHS's Al-Amal Nursery for the Hearing Impaired said: "We thank the School of Creative Science for opening their doors and welcoming our children, allowing them to take part in the school's Eid Al Adha celebrations. Our children enjoyed the celebrations and benefited in such a way that we believe this experience will remain with them always."

While emulating tawaf around the "Kabah' SCS students had the opportunity to join and interact with three to five year-old special needs children. SCS's volunteer and humanitarian activities are part of a policy to involve the school in community initiatives, reinforcing the school's philosophy of instilling values of good deeds in its students and fostering compassion for people with special needs.

Sharing their Eid Adha celebrations with disabled children is part of a host of activities preceding the school's 5^th Annual Charity Bazaar to take place in March 2007 to benefit the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. The event will be held under the patronage of Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Vice President of the Family Supreme Council in Sharjah. 

Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi added, "Such activities raise awareness of special needs children and helps to educate people to accept them and learn that with the community's help they can overcome their disabilities and become productive members of society. Not only do we encourage members of the community to volunteer their time with them at the centre, but we also find it as beneficial, if not more, if they are invited to spend time outside the centre in various settings. This enables them to integrate well into society and helps the community to overcome the social stigma associated with disabilities, bridging the gap between the two."

"The students and staff at the School of Creative Science are to be commended for their continuous dedication to serving the community and their sense of responsibility for the disabled and needy. They have set a benchmark for community service and we would like to thank them for their continuous efforts to raise funds for Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services at the annual Charity Bazaar," continued Sheikha Jameela.

"We are extremely grateful to Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services for allowing our students to give something back to our community and experience what it means to be caring members of society. This is in line with the school's philosophy of instilling values and morals in its students from an early age. We are happy to have shared this experience with the centre's children and make them happy for Eid Al Adha," added Hala Mohammed, PR Manager, School of Creative Science.

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About the School of Creative Science
Located in the Muweileh district of Sharjah, the School of Creative Science was established in 2002 to promote creativity in education, while instilling morals and values in a modern environment. Its main focus is to provide quality education and uncompromising teaching standards which adhere to UK academic regulations while utilising creative learning techniques that stimulate curiosity. For further details visit www.SCS-sharjah.com or call 06-534 4444.

About the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services
Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services has been providing training, education and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in the UAE since 1979. The non-profit organisation's activities include providing special education and training programmes for students, counselling for parents on how to care for children with mental and physical disabilities, increasing the community's knowledge of disabilities through educational and awareness campaigns, in addition to building relationships with the community, local government, schools, hospitals and national and international organisations.  

For more information, please contact:                                                            
Jehad Saleh                                                            
Tel: 971-50-5532208,
Fax: 971-6-5731630
E-mail: jehad_saleh2004@yahoo.com

© Press Release 2006