Umm Al-Qura University, represented in the Department of Education at the College of Education, in cooperation with the General Administration of Education in Makkah, has celebrated the fourth International Day of Persons with Disabilities for 2017, coinciding with 3 December of every year, under the slogan “Transitioning Towards a Sustainable and Flexible Society for All”. The celebration was held at the headquarters of “Moharam 2 Social Festival” at the parking on Makkah-Jeddah highway. It was held in the presence of Dr. Talal Oqail Al-Khairy, the Vice-Dean of the College of  Education for Graduate Studies in UQU; Dr. Talal bin Mubarak Al-Harby, Assistant General Director of Education in Makkah for Educational Affairs (boys); General Khalid bin Awad Al-Faar, the head of Planning and Development Administration in the Police of Makkah; and Dr. Sobhy bin Saeed Al-Harithy, head of Special Education at the College of Education, in addition to several faculty members and educational leaders in Makkah, as well as a number of handicapped students and their parents.

The celebration started with a tour of the event’s exhibition, which the Department of Education (boys and girls) took part in, alongside with the administration of Special Education of Makkah, and Makkah Sporting Club for Persons with Disabilities. There were 20 more pavilions in which different service sectors and specialized centers participated. These included Khadija bint Khoiled Center for Autism, Al-Sodfa Al-Maknouna Schools, Rawdat Nour Al-Amal for Special Education, Al-Amal Al-Manshoud Center, Handicapped Children Association, Marakez Al-Ahyaa’ Association, and Tafa’oul wa Amal Center.

Afterwards, a speech ceremony was held on this occasion. It began with reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an, then an opening message delivered by one of the students of Special Education. Then the Assistant General Director of Education in Makkah for Educational Affairs (boys), Dr. Talal Al-Harby, delivered a message in which he expressed his happiness to celebrate the precious category of handicapped citizens, pointing out that celebrating them on their international day is a humane gesture to bring joy to their hearts and contribute to their overcoming of the difficulties they face.

He praised the efforts made in the event, including the diverse exhibitions, family consulting, and various theatrical scenes. He extended his thanks and appreciation to UQU, represented in the College of Education, through the Special Education Department - the official partner in the ceremony. He also extended his thanks to all the government and private agencies as well as families who took part in the celebration for all their efforts to draw a smile on the faces of the handicapped students who took part in the family carnival.

Then a poem was delivered by a sight-challenged student, followed by another poem by an autistic female student. Afterwards, fourth primary students sang a group song called “With Your Presence Came Happiness”. The Vice-Dean of the College of Education for Graduate Studies in UQU, Dr. Talal Oqail Al-Khairy, then delivered a message on behalf of the Dean of the College of Education at UQU, where the efforts made to celebrate the handicapped on their fourth international day were praised. The Director of Makkah Club for Special Needs Persons, Dr. Saad Al-Qurashi, delivered a message afterwards, which was followed by a message by head of the Special Education in UQU where he stressed the importance of the rights of the handicapped, explaining that these rights go beyond support, motivation and their provision with their needs, as they extend further to merging these individuals into the society to become a normal part of it without a difference between them and their healthier peers. He pointed out that this merging will eliminate many negative feelings and help them invest their energy as well as provide them with happiness with their families.

Dr. Al-Harithy pointed out that including schools, centers, associations, families and public places in the event will enable the society to move towards inclusion through removing material and technical obstacles as well as changing the negative stances towards the handicapped.

Afterwards, various activities took place through competitions, theatrical shows, and presents with “Jawwak Maana” band up until midnight. Educational awareness events also took place in between the activities, as Dr. Abdulhady Al-Thiaby, the faculty member in the Special Educational Department at UQU delivered a lecture under the name “Disability What It Is, and Its Types”. While Abdullah Al-Salamy, head of the Special Education Administration of Makkah, delivered a lecture named “Guiding the Families of Special Needs Persons”. The events also included cultural, sport, and artistic activities, in addition to a special fair for those with special needs, alongside with family consulting provided by disability specialists to provide psychological and social consulting to the families who attended the celebration.

Winners of the competitions held during the celebration were then honored.

Noteworthy, both the girls and boys sections have participated with more than 60 volunteers to make the events of the celebration successful.