Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities concluded the first edition of the “Al Shafallah - Bridging Nations: The Weaving of Art” initiative, which was organized by the center in cooperation with the Bridging Nations organization and the Academic Association of Arts, Sciences and Letters in Paris, and in coordination with the Embassy of the French Republic in the country. The initiative’s artistic workshops were launched on February 16th and will continue until February 20th at the Youth Center of Qatar Museums On this occasion, Ms. Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Al Shafallah Center, stated that the closing ceremony of the “Weaving of Art” competition was filled with creativity and excellence, as talented visual artists and people with disabilities gathered over three days in a creative art workshop, through which they were able to translate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into expressive visual art paintings, which contributed to enhancing dialogue on global challenges through the power of art. She said that the ceremony witnessed the honoring of participants and winners in a moment full of pride and achievement, as the winning teams were honored for embodying the Sustainable Development Goals through their exceptional artworks, and she praised the efforts of the participating artists, stressing that creativity can be a bridge that brings together cultures and enhances understanding and community integration.

Al Suwaidi stressed that the “Shafallah - Bridge of Nations: The Weaving  of Art” initiative is not just an artistic event, but rather a call to strengthen cultural ties and promote the values ​​of cooperation through the arts, which represent an important part of Qatar National Vision 2030, and play a major role in empowering people with disabilities by providing opportunities for creative expression and cultural participation.

Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Media City, honored the guest of honor at the closing ceremony of the “Art Fabric” and all the participating and winning artists, along with His Excellency the Ambassador of the French Republic and the Executive Director of the Shafallah Center.

On the other hand, Ms. Maryam Saif Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Al Shafallah Center, said that all the artworks were evaluated by a neutral artistic jury that included veteran artists who evaluated the participating artworks. The committee chose the best two artworks from the total number of participating artworks. She indicated that after the closing ceremony in the State of Qatar, the two winning teams will have a unique opportunity to display their artworks and be honored at the prestigious Grand Palmares ceremony in Paris in October 2025. This international event is an important platform to celebrate their artistic achievements and display them to a global audience, which enhances the power of art as a means of social integration and raising awareness of sustainable development issues.

The sponsors of the “Shafallah - Bridge of Nations: The Fabric of Art” initiative was honored, including Qatar International Islamic Bank, Qatar Museums, the Music Affairs Center of the Ministry of Culture, as well as the media sponsors Bayanat Company and Zoom Design Company. The contributing volunteers and the administrative and organizational team were also honored.

At the end of honoring the sponsors and supporters of the initiative, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Media City, Mr. Khalid Mohammed Al Kuwari, Acting CEO of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work and Executive Director of the Shafallah Center, a number of executive directors of the centers affiliated with Qatar Foundation for Social Work, and a large audience toured the exhibition of artworks in which the artistic teams participated and which were inspired by the sustainable development goals.