Bodour Al Qasimi leads initiatives "Kalimat Foundation" In Morocco to support children in blind care centers

Rabat, 28 April / WAM / Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and President of the Kalimat Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture to UNESCO, and in the context of celebrating the selection of Rabat as World Book Capital for the year 2026 by UNESCO, witnessed a series of cultural and humanitarian initiatives organized by the Foundation in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, in support of children and enhancing their opportunities to access knowledge and learning within the framework of cultural and humanitarian cooperation that consolidates common values. It enhances investment in people and knowledge.

The visit included the “Adopt a Library” initiative of the Dr. Abdel Rahman Fneish Foundation at the Children’s Hospital in Rabat, where the Kalimat Foundation presented a mobile library containing Arabic books for children, in addition to organizing reading and cultural activities aimed at strengthening their relationship with books and enriching their experience within the therapeutic environment.

The visit also included the “I see” initiative at the Alawite Organization for the Care of the Blind, through the provision of comprehensive and accessible books that benefited more than 170 blind and visually impaired students from different age groups. These publications were designed to allow blind and sighted children to engage in a shared reading experience that combines printed text, Braille printing, and tactile illustrations, in a way that supports comprehensive learning, enhances integration opportunities, and contributes to the development of their cognitive abilities.

These initiatives fall within the Kalimat Foundation’s mission aimed at consolidating children’s right to read and expanding access to knowledge through specific programs that keep pace with their needs and support their educational and humanitarian journey. The visit also embodies the shared interest that brings together the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco in empowering new generations and supporting cultural and humanitarian initiatives with a sustainable impact.

Speaking about the importance of the Kalimat Foundation’s initiatives in Morocco, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said, “Children’s access to books is a basic right that must be available to every child, regardless of their circumstances. Knowledge is an empowering tool that gives hope, expands future horizons, opens up broader spaces for understanding and imagination for children, and enhances their ability to overcome challenges with confidence.”

She added: “These initiatives in Morocco are an extension of Sharjah’s cultural and humanitarian vision, which believes that knowledge is a bridge of communication between peoples and a tool for enhancing human rapprochement. It also reflects the depth of fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco and their common interest in investing in people and empowering new generations through cultural initiatives that contribute to consolidating the values ​​of learning and enhancing the presence of reading in children’s lives.”

For her part, Mrs. Naila Fneish, President of the Dr. Abdul Rahman Fneish Foundation, said: These initiatives reflect a deep humanitarian vision led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi in making culture and knowledge part of the support system directed at people, especially in circumstances where children are in dire need of hope and care.

She added that integrating the book into therapeutic environments represents a qualitative step that contributes to supporting the psychological recovery of children and gives them space to imagine and communicate with the world outside their health challenges. We value this cooperation with the Kalimat Foundation, which presents an advanced model linking culture and humanitarian work and confirms that investing in reading is an investment in humans and their future.

Dr. Salah al-Din al-Sammar, Secretary-General of the Alawite Organization for the Care of the Blind, said that providing books adapted to blind and visually impaired children constitutes an essential step towards achieving cognitive justice and enabling them to learn and be independent. Providing knowledge in these formats opens up broader horizons for them to participate in society and enhances their self-confidence and ability to express themselves within a more comprehensive and sustainable educational environment.

He added: This cooperation with the Kalimat Foundation embodies an integrated vision that reflects the pioneering role of the Emirate of Sharjah in supporting cultural and humanitarian initiatives that put people at the heart of their priorities.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi was received at the Dr. Abderrahmane Fneish Foundation at the Children’s Hospital in Rabat by His Excellency Mohamed Mehdi Ben Said, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, His Excellency Fatiha El Moudani, Mayor of Rabat, Her Excellency Charaf Ahmemed, Director of the UNESCO Office in the Maghreb Region, Mrs. Naila Fneish, President of the Dr. Abderrahmane Fneish Foundation, Mr. Raouf Mohsen, General Director of the Ibn Sina University Hospital Center in Rabat, and Mrs. Amina Barakat, Director General of the Children’s Hospital, along with Mrs. Karima Ashour, Vice President of the Dr. Abdel Rahman Fneish Foundation.

The program included the opening of the mobile book museum at the Dr. Abdul Rahman Fneish Foundation, in addition to a musical performance presented by the children of the Foundation’s music program, and an interactive storytelling segment presented by the Moroccan artist Amal Ayouch. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi also dedicated her book “World Book Capital” to the children and took group photos with the children and attendees.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi was also received upon her arrival at the Alawite Organization for the Care of the Blind by Her Highness Princess Lalla Lamia Al Solh, President of the Alawite Organization for the Care of the Blind, along with Dr. Salah al-Din al-Sammar and a number of officials and cultural and educational figures.

The visit included an introductory presentation about the organization’s services and programs, a cultural segment presented by blind students, in addition to a tour of the classrooms and an overview of the educational and rehabilitation programs provided to the students.

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