Jawaher’s belief in women celebrated at Xposure 2025

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

As visitors step into the International Photography Festival (Xposure 2025), they are greeted by a framed image of a tweet from Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, shared on X.

The message, “Sport was created to unite us, not divide us. My dream is to see our daughters in the UAE gather in the stands, enjoying sports and supporting their champions in every discipline,” embodies the essence of her passionate vision for the nation’s women.

This statement is no longer just a dream — it has become a reality, shaped by the relentless efforts of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, which has laid the groundwork for a thriving sports ecosystem.

Today, over 900 female athletes compete across 12 different sports in four specialised sports clubs, transforming Sharjah’s women into icons of athletic excellence, ambition, and resilience.

The “Sharjah Women” exhibition is a visual celebration of empowerment, where each image captures moments of passion and perseverance. The protagonists in each frame – girls to young women – tell the story of Emirati women making waves in an industry, which has been largely male-dominated.

Thanks to the formative opportunities created for women in sports by visionaries like Sheikha Jawaher, the sector is undergoing a game-changing transformation; one that is being felt globally. The Paris Olympics was the most gender-equal in history.

From scenes of pride and victory to moments of struggle and perseverance, “Sharjah Women” showcases a compelling visual narrative of women’s journey towards championship and recognition.

Through the lens of local photographers, visitors witness powerful images of athletes breaking traditional barriers, redefining sports in the UAE, and setting new benchmarks. These vibrant moments — from intense training sessions to standing tall on victory podiums — reflect the spirit of determination and belonging.

As it marks its ninth edition, Xposure 2025 continues its pioneering role in celebrating visual arts as a medium of change and influence. The “Sharjah Women” exhibition reaffirms Sheikha Jawaher’s commitment to empowering women across all fields, especially sports.

Here, photography becomes a powerful tool — documenting legacies, bridging generations, and offering a visual reflection of the remarkable evolution of women’s sports in the region.

Earlier, in a separate development, Sharjah Sports Club has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation (KSQF), an independent global organisation dedicated to protecting and empowering vulnerable children worldwide.

The foundation, based in Sharjah and chaired by Sheikha Jawaher, continues the legacy of the late Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi by advocating children’s rights and safeguarding their well-being, particularly in regions affected by conflict, poverty, and natural disasters.

Through this collaboration, Sharjah Sports Club will support KSQF’s mission by raising awareness about the Foundation’s initiatives and amplifying its impact. This will include displaying KSQF’s animated advertisements on the electronic screens surrounding ADNOC Pro League and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup matches held at Sharjah Sports Club’s stadium.

Additionally, the KSQF logo will feature on the media backdrop during press conferences and in the mixed zone at football matches hosted at the club’s main stadium.

A permanent KSQF-branded panel will also be installed in the indoor sports hall, ensuring continued visibility for the foundation across all team sports activities.

The signing ceremony took place at the Sharjah Football Company headquarters and was attended by Khalid Issa Al Midfa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Sports Club, Abdullah Al Huraimel, Board of Trustees Member at KSQF; Ibrahim Mohammed Al Jarwan, Board Member of Sharjah Sports Club and Chairman of Investment and Commercial Development Company; and Lujan Mourad, Director of KSQF.