On the inaugural day of the World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion”; held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and under the theme “We Are Inclusion”; a series of inspirational talks and presentations provided a powerful perspective and first-hand experiences of those with disabilities directly navigating inclusive education systems.


Taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah; and for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa; the three-day international gathering is hosted by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in collaboration with Inclusion International, and with the strategic partnership of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB). The session, titled “Experiences in Inclusive Education from self-advocates and families”, was led by Dr. Samya Mohammed Saleh, Director of Al Wafa School for Capacity Development, and featured compelling testimonies from self-advocates and family members, offering an introspective look at the triumphs and challenges of inclusive education, from early childhood learning through to higher education.


Inclusion in itself is not enough; persons with disabilities must have similar opportunities

Omar Sharif Alshami, a self-advocate, applied media major, and Arabian swimmer, set the tone by sharing his powerful perspective on inclusion. “Inclusion means giving everyone a fair chance to take part,” he stated. “It's about being involved in school, work, and community life. For persons with disabilities, it means feeling truly accepted.” He outlined why,in his opinion, inclusion matters, explaining that it builds confidence, reveals talents, encourages participation, and promotes advocacy. He concluded with a call to action, noting that inclusion in itself is not enough, that people with disabilities must have similar opportunities, and they can add great value to society when given the chance.


The session featured a moving presentation from Maram Salem Alsawmhi, a Grade 8 learner with Down syndrome, and her mother, Faiza Ahmed. Maram shared her personal experience with admirable clarity, stating, “I have some difficulties, but the support makes it easier. My parents help me very much and I try to help them.” Her mother followed, speaking highly of SCHS and their foundational efforts, saying, “SCHS empowers children with disabilities and provides them with the support they need to succeed”, highlighting the important role of institutional support in complementing the family’s efforts.


The final presentation came from Professor Jassim Al Rashid from Kuwait, who represented the perspective of a parent advocate. He shared his journey, explaining, “I started out doing everything I could to help my own son, but I realised that I could extend my efforts to help the entire community.” He championed the immense value of volunteering, which he stated must include both abled individuals and those with disabilities, and described how sports can be a powerful method for inclusion, saying it “builds confidence, creates camaraderie, and connects people of all backgrounds; this is essential for inclusion based on actions rather than just words.”


Concluding the powerful session, Dr. Samya Mohammed Saleh offered her own reflection saying, “These inspiring stories and the voices of self-advocates and families must be the compass that will guide our policies, our schools, and our communities. True inclusion is not a destination we arrive at, but a promise we must actively choose to keep every single day.”


World Congress 2025 "We Are Inclusion" continues in Sharjah until 17 September, bringing together more than 500 participants from 74 countries, including 152 speakers representing 160 organisations, across 59 parallel sessions. Held for the first time in the MENA region and North Africa, the Congress is a leading global platform for sharing best practices and advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities. It is co-organised by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Inclusion International, and in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.