Volunteer Group for People with Disabilities Joins Raqqa Festival
In a move aimed at fostering social integration and enabling people with disabilities to participate in economic activities, the Al-Salam volunteer group for people with physical disabilities participated for the first time in the “Raqqa in Our Eyes” shopping festival. This participation is part of the group’s ongoing efforts to highlight the productive capabilities and skills of its members, providing a vital platform to showcase their goods to the public.
Khaled Al-Handawi, the founder of the group, noted that participating in the festival is a first-of-its-kind experience for the team. The event offered an opportunity to present a variety of products, including honey produced by one of the members. Al-Handawi emphasized that the positive interaction from festival visitors reflects an appreciation for local products and serves as support for the group members’ determination.
Ahmed Al-Sabagha, a participating member, explained that he displayed a collection of perfumes he personally formulates and prepares at his booth. He stressed the importance of such events in breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypical perceptions, and proving that people with disabilities are capable of being productive and contributing effectively to society and the provincial economy.
Mahmoud Sheikh Al-Souq, representing the festival’s management, stated that the primary goal of the event is to stimulate economic, tourism, and social activity in the city of Raqqa. He highlighted the management’s commitment to providing space for community initiatives, particularly those involving people with disabilities. The festival administration further revealed plans to expand and activate the section dedicated to people with disabilities in future events to ensure their sustained presence in the local market.
Khaled Al-Farra, Director of the Sports and Youth Directorate in Raqqa, praised the initiative to allocate a dedicated booth for the team at the festival. He described this as a practical step toward supporting their integration into the labor market, noting that there is coordination to increase the number of such booths in the future to maximize the benefit and provide opportunities for more creative producers among the disabled community.
The Al-Salam volunteer group was founded in Raqqa in 2023. It serves as an entity that brings together people with physical disabilities with the goal of supporting their social participation, providing training, and shedding light on their true potential through engagement in exhibitions, events, and economic activities. The “Raqqa in Our Eyes” festival continues until September 18, featuring widespread participation aimed at supporting national products and strengthening social and economic ties across various segments of society in the province.
