Kalima Reading Club to pay tribute to doctors, nurses and policemen
- 12 Aug 2020
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The Kalima Reading Club at Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will be celebrating frontline heroes including doctors, nurses, police officers and media presenters during this August, through the ‘We Read for Children’ initiative.
‘We Read for Children’ aims to encourage children to read in Arabic and foster a regular habit of reading, and this month’s series of sessions will honour those who perhaps have recently been unable to be with their children and read stories to them, due to being occupied by their duties on the front lines and serving the country in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE
Al Dhafra Municipality reopens parks
Mohammed opens UAE's first biomedical research centre focused on coronavirus
Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Executive Director of the Dar Al Kutub Sector at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said: "We have seen extraordinary efforts by people working tirelessly in certain sectors during this health crisis. From the doctors and nurses administering life-saving treatment, to police officers keeping the public safe, teachers completely changing their routines, media keeping everyone informed of developments and guidance, and shift workers disinfecting our streets and neighbourhoods, the dedication shown has been remarkable. These professionals have families of their own and their children will have missed spending quality time with them, particularly when it comes to reading and storytelling. This is our way of saying thank you for their sacrifices.”
Four stories will be read every Friday by four UAE professionals including a high-ranking police officer, a nurse, a television presenter and a doctor.
READER BIOGRAPHIES: Colonel Dr. Jamal Al Naqbi is the Deputy Head of the Legal Affairs Department and President of the Writer and Reading Committee at Abu Dhabi Police.
Dr. Khalid Al Awadhi holds a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of the United Arab Emirates University. He has worked in various clinics and hospitals in Dubai and joined the National Screening Centre in Sharjah before being appointed head of the National Screening Centre in City Walk, Dubai.
Fatima Al Rashdy is an Emirati nurse and studied at Fatima College of Health Sciences in Al Ain. She currently works at Al Ain’s Tawam Hospital.
Mariam Fekri holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Translation from Ajman University, and has been working for Sharjah TV as the presenter of the ‘Akhbar Al-Dar’ show since 2016. Previously she worked at the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development as an event and activity organiser. She has been a volunteer with the Arab Media Forum, Emirati Media Forum, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and many others.
The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The organisation manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT - Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.