Namaa Charity Concludes its Relief Mission to Tanzania by Creating Sustainable Humanitarian and Development Impact
The Namaa charity delegation, under the Association of Social Reform and led by the Director of the Relief Department, Khalid Mubarak Al-Shammari, has concluded its relief mission to Tanzania, where the delegation implemented a series of humanitarian and developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of beneficiaries and enhancing values of solidarity and compassion.
Humanitarian Efforts and Food Distribution
In this context, Khalid Mubarak Al-Shammari, the Director of the Relief Department at Namaa charity, stated: "During the mission, Namaa Charity distributed 400 food baskets to needy families, contributing to meeting the basic needs of a large number of beneficiaries. Additionally, three cows were slaughtered, and their meat was distributed, providing 200 families with baskets of meat and rice, while 240 students benefited from cooked meals that offered them healthy nutrition."
Support for Education and Quran Memorization
Al-Shammari continued: "In support of education and Quran memorization, 400 copies of the Quran were distributed to Quranic centers, alongside the provision of 100 sets of clothing and school supplies for orphans, reflecting Namaa charity's commitment to nurturing youth and enhancing their educational opportunities. The delegation also visited several Islamic centers and mosques affiliated with Namaa, reaffirming its role in supporting Muslim communities, strengthening their religious identity, and providing a suitable environment for worship and Islamic education."
Commitment to Humanitarian and Developmental Mission
He added: "Our relief efforts in Tanzania stem from Namaa charity's commitment to its humanitarian and developmental mission. We do not limit ourselves to immediate assistance but strive to create a sustainable impact in the lives of beneficiaries through educational, developmental, and relief projects that contribute to improving the quality of life. Our visit to these areas highlighted the urgent need for more charitable initiatives, and we are working diligently to expand our scope to include more sustainable projects that meet the needs of impoverished communities."
Al-Shammari concluded his statement by saying: "Through this noble humanitarian giving, Namaa charity continues to reinforce its mission, drawing inspiration from the values of Kuwaiti charitable work, which has always been a model to be emulated in this field."
IICO sponsors an exhibition in America documenting the untold stories of Gaza
In a new step that reflects its commitment to conveying the voice of Gaza to the world, International Islamic Charity Organization sponsors the exhibition "Through Their Lens: The Untold Stories of Gaza," organized by the Humanitarian Photography Grant Initiative in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. This exhibition serves as a genuine window and a humanitarian message that highlights the painful human reality that Gaza is experiencing.
Exhibition Dates and Highlights
The exhibition, which started on February 7 and will continue until March 29, features documentary works by some of the most prominent Palestinian photographers, who have utilized their lenses to convey the truth and document the details of suffering and resilience in the face of the brutal war machine that has been unleashed upon them, one of the most violent in modern times. Through their images, the stories of families who lost their homes, the dreams of children trapped under rubble, and the sacrifices of women for the sake of life are revealed, uncovering the human face left behind by war, which often remains obscured by political headlines.
Featured Photographers
The exhibition, which opened on Friday, February 7, features several prominent Palestinian photographers who have documented the most profound human moments in Gaza, including: Abdul Rahman Zaqout, Ahmed Salama, Ali Jadallah, Bilal Al-Homsi, Fatima Shbeir, Bilal Khaled, Jihad Al-Sharafi, Mahmoud Abu Hamda, Fathi Magdy, Anas Ayad, and Hossam Younes.
Humanitarian Sponsorship
The sponsorship of this exhibition by the International Islamic Charity Organization reaffirms its humanitarian role in supporting initiatives that shed light on the humanitarian and life tragedies faced by the vulnerable in conflict areas, especially in Gaza. It is seen as an effective means of amplifying their voices to the world and revealing truths that may not be conveyed through traditional mediums. Through visual arts, pain transforms into a message, and suffering into documentation, serving as a testament to the importance of directing support to those in need there and striving to improve their lives.
Kuwaiti publisher Takween wins Best Arab Publisher at Cairo Book Fair
Takween shares award with Egypt’s Namaa Publishing and Research Center
Kuwaiti publishing house Takween was awarded Best Arab Publisher at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, a distinction shared with Egypt’s Namaa Publishing and Research Center. The event, organized by the Egyptian General Book Authority under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, celebrated the achievements of Arab publishers.
Founded in March 2016, Takween is a multidisciplinary cultural center based in Kuwait, encompassing a library, publishing house, creative writing workshop, and cultural platform. The organization aims to be “a driving force of soft power in the Arab world,” promoting values of freedom, pluralism, acceptance of others, and human rights. Its published works have received critical acclaim, with many winning prestigious literary awards. In 2024, Kuwaiti novelist Abdullah Al-Husseini’s Baqi Al-Washm (The Remaining Tattoo), published by Takween, won the Palestinian Ministry of Culture’s Ghassan Kanafani Award for Arabic Fiction. This award recognizes writers who promote truth, freedom, and resistance.
That same year, Takween owner and Kuwaiti novelist Buthayna Al-Essa’s novel The Book Censor’s Library was longlisted for the 2024 US National Book Foundation Award in the translated literature category. First published in 2019 by Dar Al-‘Arabiyya Li-l-‘Ulum and Takween Publishing, the novel explores themes of intellectual freedom and the effects of oppression on human identity, blending philosophical literature with science fiction.
Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Hano congratulated the winners of the fair’s competitions, urging them to continue their creative endeavors. Dr. Ahmed Bahy El-Din, Head of the Egyptian General Book Authority, highlighted the 56th edition of the fair, noting that it set a record for attendance, making it the most attended in its history.
Kuwait continued its annual participation in the event, which ran from January 23 to February 5. The fair featured 1,345 publishers and over 6,000 exhibitors from 80 countries, with several Kuwaiti pavilions showcasing the Ministry of Information, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, the Kuwait Research and Studies Center, and various publishing houses.
Education ministry launches award for top public school libraries
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Library and Information Association, has launched the Excellence Award for school libraries across all educational stages at public, religious, and special education schools.
According to a ministry press release, the award aims to foster a competitive environment that encourages the ongoing development and innovation of school libraries. This initiative seeks to enhance library services and activities that support educational curricula, ultimately strengthening the libraries’ role in the educational process and meeting students’ needs. The press release didn’t mention whether private Arabic schools under the ministry qualify for the award.
This move is part of recent efforts to revitalize school libraries. In September 2024, the Ministry of Education issued a directive to all public and private Arabic schools and kindergartens, instructing them to allocate class time for reading in the school library. A ministry official emphasized the importance of these reading sessions, which expose students to a variety of literary works. These sessions are seen as vital for developing students’ reading skills at an early age.
Under the directives, a librarian has been assigned to each school to coordinate with the Arabic Language Department to organize library visits. Librarians are also tasked with preparing regular reports on the frequency of reading classes and student participation.
While the concept of reading classes isn’t new in Kuwait, challenges such as limited facilities and a compressed curriculum have hindered their regular implementation. School libraries, although crucial for promoting reading, are often absent in private Arabic schools. Where libraries do exist, they are often too small to accommodate an entire class of at least 40 students.
Nominations for the Excellence Award will continue until March 3. Each educational district can nominate only one school from each educational stage. The judging team, made up of members from the Library and Information Association and the Ministry’s Libraries Department, will evaluate the nominated libraries from April 2 to April 20. The team will visit schools to assess the libraries based on the award criteria.
Kuwait sends 23rd relief plane to Syria
The 23rd relief plane took off Tuesday from the Kuwaiti airlift heading to Damascus International Airport carrying 10 tons of food supplies for the most needy groups in Syria as part of the “Kuwait by Your Side” campaign organized by the Kuwait Zakat House in coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense—represented by the Kuwaiti Air Force.
Ayed Al-Mutairi, Projects and Foreign Bodies Supervisor at the Zakat House, told KUNA before takeoff that the continuation of the airlift comes in implementation of the royal directives and is a reflection of the Kuwaiti people’s habit of extending a helping hand to their Syrian brothers and a translation of the long historical ties that unite the two brotherly countries.
Al-Mutairi stressed that the type of relief shipments comes at the request of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, which in turn senses the needs of the governorates, especially the increasing demand for basics such as food, medicine and shelter supplies in light of the instability and lack of infrastructure.
He explained that the Zakat House seeks to operate land trucks in the next phase to provide relief to the Syrian people and provide tons of relief materials, in coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official bodies.
He expressed his thanks to the official bodies, headed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, for their contribution to delivering aid via the Kuwaiti air bridge, praising at the same time the efforts of the charitable people who donated through the Zakat House campaign.
For his part, Acting Director of the External Activities Department at the Zakat House, Abdulrahman Al-Turkait, confirmed that the Zakat House has been providing support and assistance to the Syrian brothers since the outbreak of the crisis more than ten years ago, stressing its efforts to continue providing support.— KUNA
Kuwaiti Doctor Wins Middle East Regional Council Presidency
The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that Dr Turki Al-Otaibi has won the position of the elected president of the Middle East Regional Council of the World Society of Kidney after a strong competition in the elections held on the sidelines of the World Kidney Congress held in New Delhi, India. The ministry said in a press statement that this new achievement reflects the professional leadership of Kuwaiti medical competencies on the international arena and is a source of pride for Kuwaiti doctors and the health system in the country.
It explained that the elections witnessed competition between Dr Al-Otaibi and a prominent doctor from Iraq and a prominent female doctor from Lebanon, with Al-Otaibi winning the election—achieving an “unprecedented” achievement and becoming the first Kuwaiti doctor to be elected to this position since the establishment of the World Society of Kidney. It added that Dr Turki Al-Otaibi has a record full of achievements as he holds the position of President of the Arab Society of Nephrology and Transplantation, Head of the Department of Nephrology and Transplantation at the Kuwait Center for Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, and President of the Kuwait Organ Transplantation Society.
It pointed out that he has given many scientific lectures in major international medical institutions, which has strengthened his position as one of the most prominent experts in the field of kidney diseases and transplantation regionally and globally. It also noted the prominent role of Kuwait in the field of kidney diseases and transplantation, thanks to its distinguished competencies and leading medical institutions. — KUNA
Kuwait Relief Society distributes 100 tons of food aid in Sudan
The Kuwait Relief Society, in cooperation with Al-Ihsan Charity Society, on Saturday launched the distribution of 100 tons of food aid in 2,000 baskets to displaced people in Kassala State, eastern Sudan. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kassala Deputy Governor Omar Osman, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Idris Ali and Director of Al-Ihsan Society Idris Hamid Kassala.
Deputy Governor Omar Osman Adam expressed his deep appreciation to Kuwait praising its supportive stances towards Sudan and its continuous support for its brothers. He stressed the depth of the brotherly relations between the Sudanese and Kuwaitis and commended the efforts of humanitarian organizations for their prominent role in this field.
Kassala State Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Idris Ali praised the food baskets project, stressing that it came at the right time to meet the needs of those affected. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to all brothers in the Gulf states, as well as friendly countries, for their solidarity and support for the Sudanese who suffered from the scourge of war. For his part, the Director of Al-Ihsan Society, Idris Hamid, expressed his deep gratitude to the partners in the Kuwait Relief Society, praising their firm and supportive stance towards the displaced in Sudan. — KUNA
Human Photography Grant Opens an Exhibition for Gaza in the USA
Exhibition Inauguration
The Humanitarian Photography Grant inaugurated its distinctive photographic exhibition in the United States titled "Through Their Lens: Untold Stories of Gaza" today, Friday, February 7, 2025. This exhibition embodies the poignant humanitarian realities that Gaza endures, through the works of a select group of Palestinian photographers who have used their lenses to convey the truth and document the details of suffering and resilience in one of the most violent mass atrocities of modern times.
Documentary Photos and Stories
The exhibition includes powerful documentary photos captured by local photographers in Gaza, where each image tells a separate story, encapsulating the suffering of families, the resilience of children, the sacrifices of women, and the dreams of youth that do not wither despite the destruction.
Human Face of War
These images reveal the human face of war, which often obscures behind political headlines. In this context, the head of the Humanitarian Photography Grant, Sami Al-Rumyan, stated: "This exhibition is not just a collection of photos; it is an honest testimony to the suffering of an entire people and a source for conveying the truth that does not reach the world as it is. Through the lenses of these photographers, we shine a light on angles that have never been seen before, and we reintroduce Gaza to the world as a humanitarian story worthy of attention. This initiative aims to support photographers working in humanitarian fields and empower them to document humanitarian issues that need to be highlighted globally, enhancing impactful visual narratives, which contribute to raising awareness and creating positive changes in the lives of the most needy populations around the world."
Support and Empowerment of Photographers
Al-Rumyan added: "The Humanitarian Photography Grant, through its annual works, provides a suitable working mechanism for both institutions and charitable organizations and donor entities to showcase their humanitarian works and projects in a professional artistic manner. On the other hand, it assists photographers working in the humanitarian field to contribute those humanitarian contributions and present them to the world photographically through various media and artistic platforms."
Living Testimony of Gaza
Al-Rumyan stated: "This exhibition is not just a collection of photos; it is a living testimony, a heartbeat from a land that defies death daily. Through the lenses of these photographers, we reveal to the world stories that are obscured from screens, and we shine a light on the human side that often gets lost amid the headlines."
Global Exhibition Series
He explained that this exhibition, the first in a series of exhibitions around the world, tells the story of Gaza, a land that bleeds resilience, and a sky that rains cries of hope. It is not merely an exhibition; it is a visual testimony that conveys to the world the voice of those who have no voice, and an image that transcends the borders of silence to reveal the extent of suffering.
Journey of Awareness
"Here begins our journey, a journey of awareness and feeling, where our message extends across continents, bearing witness to a tragedy, and calling for humanity to awaken."
Charitable Support
He confirmed that the Gaza photographic exhibition is supported by several charitable and humanitarian organizations, most notably: Namaa Charity – Kuwait, Kaf humanitarian – Bahrain, and the Islamic World Charity Organization – Kuwait.
Prominent Photographers
The exhibition features prominent Palestinian photographers, including: Abdul Rahman Zaqout, Ahmed Salama, Ali Jadallah, Bilal Al-Homs, Fatima Shubeir, Bilal Khaled, Jihad Al-Sharafi, Mahmoud Abu Hamda, Fathi Magdy, Anas Ayad, and Hossam Younes.
Humanitarian Photography Grant Initiative
The exhibition is part of the Humanitarian Photography Grant, an initiative aimed at supporting photographers working in humanitarian fields and enabling them to document issues that need global attention.
Impactful Visual Storytelling
This grant reinforces impactful visual storytelling, which not only raises awareness but also contributes to making positive changes in the lives of the most vulnerable groups around the world.
"Through their lenses, we open a window onto the suffering of Gaza and tell stories that must not be forgotten."
With these words, Al-Rumyan concluded his speech, inviting the audience to visit the exhibition, engage with the visual stories, and reflect on the issues of solidarity, hope, and the ongoing struggle for human rights in Palestine.
