RIYADH, 13 December 2006 — The Prince Salman Center for Disability Research in cooperation with Abdul Muhsin Al-Hukair Company launched an awareness festival entitled “Together Hope Will Be Achieved” at Al-Remal Mall on Monday. The program is part of the center’s awareness programs on the occasion of the World Disability Day.
The festival, which continues until tomorrow, includes participants from several rehabilitation centers and includes an exhibition that displays the activities of several charitable societies which deal with disabilities.
The festival is open to all visitors and each disability center presents brochures and booklets on its activities that include rehabilitation programs, treatment programs and social programs.
Attending on behalf of Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the board of trustees, was board member Abdul Rahman Al-Suwailim, a member of the Shoura Council.
Al-Suwailim toured the exhibition and viewed several charitable projects presented by members of charitable societies. He also gave away appreciation plaques to participating centers.
He awarded members of the Saudi disability football team who won the World Cup this year gifts presented by Abdul Muhsin Al-Hokair Company as a token of appreciation for their efforts and success.
“Disabled people are a part of society. This festival is just an example that they have ambitions, needs and hopes like everyone else,” said Al-Suwailim.
Participating in Monday’s event were many celebrities, including Faiz Al-Maliki, the star of the Saudi sitcom “The Days of Minahi”, who greeted players of the disability football team and took photos with them.
“For me, meeting players on the Saudi team who won the Disability World Cup is more than an honor. They have achieved what others in full health have not,” Al-Maliki said.
He said it was the duty of all members of society to support disabled people and mentioned that the support given by officials and celebrities could give a moral boost to them.
