Minister of Social Development and Family H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi has honoured winners of 7th Gulf Theater Festival for People with Disabilities 2024.

The ceremony witnessed the honouring of the jury of Gulf Theater Festival for People with Disabilities, headed by Qatari director Saad Burshid, and the heads of the delegations participating in the festival.

The festival’s supporting entities from Qatar, namely the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Culture, and the General Authority of Customs, Qatar Media Corporation, Katara, Qatar Foundation, Doha University of Science and Technology, Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities, and others were also honoured.

Director-General of Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC H E Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli said that GCC countries pay special attention to persons with disabilities and make continuous efforts to safeguard their rights and enhance their status in various areas of life.

He said that Theatre Festival for People with Disabilities is one of the most prominent Gulf events that contribute to supporting and empowering this group, he also appreciated the efforts of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, as well as the participating artists and organising committees.

Al-Obaidli also praised the wonderful theatrical performances that the festival witnessed this year, stressing that the distinguished performance presented by people with disabilities was a source of pride and inspiration for everyone.

The ceremony began with a short video about all the activities of the theatrical festival and a musical performance by members of Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities in cooperation with Al Manar International School, and a group of distinctive songs that emphasized the unity of GCC countries.

The festival was held from November 27 to December 3, and the closing ceremony coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

It was organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, in cooperation with Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC countries.

The festival aims to integrate people with disabilities, highlight their talents and artistic abilities, enhance their self-confidence and showcase their creativity in the theatrical field, giving them the opportunity to express their issues in their own way within an artistic framework that reflects their great creative abilities and their important role in society.

Six theatrical performances competed in the festival: “Al Dana” (Qatar), written by Taleb Al Doss and directed by Nasser Abdul Redha; “A Lifetime’s Journey” (UAE), written by Abdullah Youssef Ali Al Saad and directed by Hamad Abdul Razzaq Al Mazmi; “Dubi’s Trial” (Bahrain), written by Yaqoub Youssef and directed by Taher Mohsen; “Deja Vu” (Saudi Arabia), written by Asaad Ali Al A’ilati and directed by Faisal Abdullah Bohashi; “The Ship is Still Standing” (Sultanate of Oman), written by Abdul Karim bin Ali bin Jawad and directed by Amjad bin Salem Al Kalbani; and, “Habl Hessa” (Kuwait), written by Yahya Abdul Redha Abbas and directed by Ahmed Mohammed Al Awadhi.