Photos - Sisi: People of determination not only ‘have a place’ but are the ‘owners of the place’

CAIRO – 28 December 2022: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated on Wednesday in the fourth edition of the “Differently-Abled” ceremony aimed at empowering people of determination, saying they are the “owners of the place” rather than only “having a place”.

This comes as the ceremony, which is organized in Al-Manara International Conference Center in Cairo’s Firsth Settlement, is held under the slogan: “We have a place”.

During the ceremony, Sisi welcomed a request by one of the woman with special needs to hold a ceremony that hosts people of determination from the Arab countries and the whole world.

 

Sisi also shared a hug with one of the people of determination during the ceremony after welcoming his requests.

The president also had the opportunity to meet again with Khadiga Shaban, a woman with special needs, who he brought her a chair to sit on during the last 'Differntly-Abled' ceremony, saying: "I was lucky to do so".

Sisi made a heart sign with his hands to one of the people of determination after being introduced by renowned actor Ashraf Abdel Baky during the ceremony.

 

Sisi also launched 2 initiatives to ensure integration of people of determination into society, one dubbed “accessibility and living independently” that at addressing banks and other institutions as well as employment bodies to empower people of special needs.

The other initiative is the Egyptian edition of the "Best Buddies International" initiative that aims to create opportunities for people of determination.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Sports and Youth Ashraf Sobhi, and Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin El-Qabbaj have attended the ceremony.

A group of high-level officials and a number of guests, including Abdullah Abdulalee Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO), will also be among the attendees.

 

During the cermony, Sobhi said Egypt managed to host this year the world's first edition of the IHF Four-a-Side Wheelchair Handball World Championship.

Sports infrastructure developed over the past years has helped saving around 65 percent of the cost of hosting large sports events, Sobhi noted.

The “Differently-Abled” Ceremony is held annually to empower people of determination, who represent more than 10 percent of the population.