Dubai: Dubai Police has organized a workshop titled “Let Our Hands Speak” for private school students ahead of the International Day of Sign Languages, which is celebrated annually across the world on the 23rd of September. The event, organized by the People of Determination Empowerment Council and the Positive Spirit Council, was held at Al Mawakeb School, Al Barsha and benefited 105 students.
Major Abdullah Al Shamsi, Chairman of the People of Determination Empowerment Council, emphasized the council’s commitment to raising awareness about sign language and promoting its use.
“This initiative aims to integrate the deaf community into society, aligning with Dubai Police’s strategic goals of fostering a happy community and a safe city. It also supports the national policy for empowering people of determination and contributes to Dubai’s initiative, ‘My Community…A Place for Everyone’, making the emirate fully inclusive for people of determination,” Al Shamsi added.
Major Abdullah Al Shamsi emphasized the council’s commitment to raising awareness about sign language and promoting its use. “This initiative aims to integrate the deaf community into society, aligning with Dubai Police’s strategic goals of fostering a happy community and a safe city. It also supports the national policy for empowering people of determination and contributes to Dubai’s initiative, ‘My Community… A Place for Everyone,’ making the emirate fully inclusive for people of determination,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fatima Bouhajeer, Chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council and a Member of the People of Determination Empowerment Council, noted that the council’s participation aims to enhance efforts in educating young people about essential community values such as coexistence, tolerance, dialogue, development, and respect for others.
“The council offers workshops and lectures to enrich students’ knowledge in various areas, including communication with people of determination (deaf category) using sign language. Additionally, it organizes activities and events that foster student integration and coexistence,” Bouhajeer continued.
Mohammad Mussad Al Hajajji, a certified sign language trainer, delivered the sign language workshop for 105 students. He emphasized the importance of promoting sign language education to break down communication barriers with the deaf community, noting the positive impact on their happiness and social integration.
The event included various accompanying activities, such as K9 shows, performances by the Dubai Police musical band, tourist security patrols, a mounted police show, and participation from Officer Mansour the mascot.