Abu Dhabi: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Award for Education, an institution under the umbrella of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, participated today, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the UAE’s 54th National Day celebrations. The events included heritage and artistic performances, as well as student creations, under the slogan “54 Years United.” The events, held at the Khalifa Award for Education headquarters in Abu Dhabi under the title “Pioneering Creations of People with Disabilities in the Year of the Community,” highlighted the creativity of students with disabilities, in partnership with the Zayed Authority for People of Determination and the UAE Special Olympics.
Humaid Al-Houti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education, attended the festive program along with Eng. Sharif Al Shami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the UAE Special Olympics, Mr. Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, several educational leaders, and student teams from the People of Determination centers affiliated with the Zayed Authority for People of Determination and the UAE Special Olympics.
Humaid Al-Houti emphasized the significance of this celebration as it embodies the highest meanings of loyalty and belonging to the nation and its wise leadership. It also reflects the pioneering historical efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his enduring approach to human development, and the establishment of the Union and its civilizational journey.
This vision and is carried out and nurtured by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and their brothers, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates and Members of the Federal Supreme Council.
Humaid Al-Houti stated that the Khalifa Award for Education, in participating in the nation’s National Day celebrations, embodies the mission of the Erth Zayed Philanthropies and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, and of the Board of Trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies. Al-Houti added that the award is also guided by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa Award for Education, which has been a cornerstone of the UAE’s progress since its inception, and the Khalifa Award for Education, through its mission and objectives, will remain a leading national initiative in fostering a culture of excellence and instilling a sense of positive citizenship among young people and all those involved in the educational process.
Al Houti commended the collaboration with the Zayed Authority for People of Determination and the UAE Special Olympics, as well as the active participation of students with disabilities who contributed creativity to this national occasion, reflecting the UAE’s pioneering role in supporting and empowering this valued segment of society.
The celebration began with the playing of the UAE national anthem by the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters Band. Al-Houti and the attendees then inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, “Pioneering Creations of People of Determination in the Year of the Community,” which showcased several creative works by students with disabilities representing the UAE Special Olympics and the Zayed Authority for People of Determination.
The event also included heritage and artistic performances. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each of Al-Houti, Secretary-General of the Khalifa Award for Education, Eng. Sharif Afif Al Shami, President of the UAE Special Olympics, and Abdullah Ismail Al Kamali, Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, acknowledged and commemorated several individuals.