Call to rehabilitate Palestinian handicapped of Intifada

Palestinian handicapped of the Intifada should be rehabilitated to help them rejoin their brothers in their struggle to regain their lands and rights, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Director, Sharjah Medical District, said yesterday.

He was opening a two-day exhibition organised by the Permanent Committee for Supporting the Handicapped of the Intifada, established by Al Thiqa Club for Handicapped in Sharjah, at the American University of Sharjah.

Sheikh Mohammed is also chairman of the permanent committee, and of the Club. "A survey we carried out revealed 16,500 Palestinians became disabled during the savage attacks carried out by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's soldiers against the Palestinians," he said.

He explained the permanent committee's campaign is aimed at raising funds to set up joint projects in Palestine to help rehabilitate the handicapped there, who have suffered various disabilities due to the Israeli enemy's brutality.

The committee is working under the umbrella of the UAE's Relief Committee for the Palestinian People. "We looked to support the Palestinian handicapped in particular through setting up various rehabilitation projects to help them rejoin their brothers in their defence against the enemy," he said.

"Every member of society in the occupied lands is needed to work for regaining the rights. We should all work to support the handicapped or their families financially, or by providing facilities needed for their rehabilitation. We should all support the steadfastness of the Palestinians against the occupation."

The exhibition includes home and office decoration items which embody the Palestinian issue, as well as T-shirts and caps, and the Palestinian traditional dress. While some of the items on display were prepared by the handicapped members of Al Thiqa Club, others were made by Palestinian artists.

Dr Moza Al Shehhi, dean of student affairs at the University of Sharjah, said that alongside the committee's exhibition the university is holding a 'Red Olive' campaign, comprising different activities. The campaign will continue until the end of the semester, with the returns from it to be donated to the Palestinians.

The activities will include lectures and distribution of brochures to introduce to the students the Palestinian issue, and help to support the fund-raising campaign, she added.

Hidar Talib Erabeh, manager of the club's employment and rehabilitation project, and coordinator of the committee, said the same exhibition will move to Al Taawun Mall for five days, before moving to Al Fardan Centre for another five days.

He praised the support of the public for the paintings and caricature exhibition currently being held at Sahara Centre. This exhibition will later move to Sharjah Megamall.