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Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Kalimat empowers youth through the wonder of books
International Youth Day serves as an opportunity to reflect on how a single story has the potential to inspire a profound sense of hope. In refugee camps and remote villages, curious minds find solace between pages, and Braille books allow the magic of reading to light the way for a new generation. This is how Kalimat Foundation is turning pages into possibilities; celebrating youth, imagination, and the right of every child to hold the world in their hands. Where Braille can become a constellation of wonder: In a quiet library corner in Sharjah, a 10-year-old girl named Lina runs her fingertips across a page of raised dots. She cannot see with her eyes, but through the gentle bumps of Braille she reads a story about the stars, each dot guides her through constellations of words, and in her mind's eye, Lina's vision is clear. It was all made possible by Kalimat Foundation's 'Ara' initiative (Arabic for 'I see'), which is dedicated to producing Arabic books in accessible formats for children like Lina. Through 'Ara', stories once out of reach now arrive in many forms: tactile Braille books, bold large-print texts, EPUB 3, warm and engaging audio narrations, even interactive e-books that work with text-to-speech technology. The initiative also provides the same titles in print, ensuring sighted and visually impaired children can share the same reading experiences and learn together. This triumph for children with visual impairments is one of many under the 'Ara' initiative, which reflects a simple but profound truth: every child has the right to read, regardless of ability; and 'Ara' has helped produce and distribute tens of thousands of accessible books across the Arab world, greatly filling the gap in accessible Arabic literature. By building a culture where publishers are supported in creating these accessible formats, visually impaired children are no longer left in the margins of literature. In the words of Amna Al Mazmi, Kalimat Foundation's Director: 'This initiative embodies Sharjah's unwavering belief in the power of literature to provide refuge, hope, and a window to a vast world of knowledge and imagination, even in the most challenging circumstances.' Lina's journey is testament to that vision, and through 'Ara', she sees not only the stars on a page, but a future that is bright and boundless, just like the imagination those stories sparked. How books can rebuild a sense of home: Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, a boy named Malik stands at the entrance of a tent in a refugee camp, clutching an Arabic story book, his mother tongue. Malik was forced to leave most of his prized possessions behind including his books, however, Kalimat Foundation has given him a lifeline to knowledge and wonder, thanks to a little library on wheels under their 'Pledge a Library' initiative. 'Pledge a Library' delivers compact, portable libraries containing 100 Arabic books each to communities in need. When it arrived at Malik's camp, it sparked celebration and children crowded around as the foundation's volunteers unpacked colourful titles; for these young refugees, each book offered normalcy, a cultural link, and a step forward. These books serve as an important tool to help maintain cultural ties while easing integration into their new community, as well as help children like Malik find refuge within their imagination. Malik's experience is echoed in countless communities, from refugee camps to remote villages, and since its inception, 'Pledge a Library' has delivered these invaluable treasures to displaced and underserved communities worldwide with over 18,700 books distributed in 27 countries, and reaching more than 115,000 children. Pages of hope and bridges of inclusion: Though Lina and Malik live different lives, they are connected by the power of books; each with a story that holds a key to knowledge and imagination. Lina's Braille book and Malik's portable library came from the same vision; Kalimat Foundation's mission is to ensure every child can exercise their right to read, regardless of ability or circumstance; a vision rooted in the belief that stories heal, teach, and empower. This International Youth Day, these children and countless others are able to nurture their dreams, page by page, and we celebrate their resilience, imagination, and courage to look beyond their immediate horizons.
Sharjah 24
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Kalimat Foundation announces region's 1st inclusive book series
Chaired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, the Board of Trustees convened at Expo Centre Sharjah to review this landmark achievement and set future strategies to expand the Foundation's humanitarian and educational impact. The meeting was attended by members of the Board of Trustees, including Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi; Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi; Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri; His Excellency Mohamed Abdullah; Ahlam Bolooki; and Fuad Mansoor Sharaf. A transformative step for inclusive literacy The newly announced inclusive book series has been thoughtfully designed to serve both visually impaired and sighted children equally. Developed with the support of Sharjah Islamic Bank and Sharjah Charity Association, the print-braille collection offers educational and recreational content through printed text, braille, and tactile illustrations, broadening horizons and fostering a shared culture of reading. This initiative is the first of its kind in the region, representing a transformative step forward in accessible publishing and reinforcing Kalimat Foundation's vision of a future where every child can learn, imagine, and thrive on equal footing. Commenting on the book series launch, Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said during the Board of Trustees meeting: "This new inclusive book series embodies our belief that every child deserves to experience the magic of reading. By creating books that bring together visually impaired and sighted children in a shared reading experience, we are taking a decisive step towards building a more inclusive and compassionate future. This initiative reflects our commitment to not just closing the accessibility gap, but reimagining a world where diversity is embraced, and knowledge is a right for all." As part of its participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, Kalimat Foundation is showcasing the inclusive book series at its dedicated pavilion, offering visitors a first-hand experience of the Foundation's latest innovation in inclusive education. The pavilion also features a range of Kalimat Foundation's merchandise, inspired by its humanitarian mission to support literacy, inclusion, and cultural empowerment. Following the meeting, the Trustees toured the pavilion and engaged with the Foundation's ongoing projects that continue to advance its mission of fostering equitable access to knowledge. Review of recent achievements During the meeting, the Board also reviewed the Foundation's key achievements since the start of the year 2025. Among the highlights was the donation of 400 Arabic-language books to Palestinian children residing at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, carried out under the "Pledge a Library" initiative and launched in conjunction with the UAE's Month of Reading. Another milestone was the Foundation's cultural and educational campaign in Morocco, launched as part of Sharjah's Guest of Honour participation at the 30th Rabat International Book Fair. The campaign included the distribution of 600 Arabic-language books to schools and associations, including a special reward to the winners of the Moroccan Reading Network competition. Strategic roadmap for future expansion Looking ahead, the Board approved a strategic roadmap focused on expanding the "Pledge a Library" initiative to supply portable libraries to local charity schools across the UAE, ensuring sustainable funding for projects, adopting enhanced evaluation frameworks, and broadening Kalimat Foundation's regional and international outreach.
