Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation (KF), led the foundation’s second Board of Trustees meeting at Najd Al-Maqsar in Khorfakkan. The gathering celebrated KF’s 2024 achievements while unveiling its ambitious 2025 strategy. This plan focuses on enhancing global cultural and humanitarian efforts, delivering Arabic educational materials to young Arab refugees, and improving access to resources for blind and visually impaired readers.
Attendees included prominent board members such as Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Vice-President, and Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Treasurer. Others, including Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan Al Nahyan and Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, actively contributed to the discussions.
Opening the meeting, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi stressed the foundation’s growing importance in today’s world. “KF’s mission has never been more critical,” she stated. “Books and reading opportunities provide hope and empower children to rise above adversity and pursue their dreams.”
Reflecting on 2024, Sheikha Bodour highlighted several milestones. KF delivered significant results, reaching thousands of children globally and strengthening partnerships with organizations supporting visually disabled readers. These achievements underscored the foundation’s commitment to inclusive education and literacy.
KF’s Pledge a Library initiative distributed 10 portable libraries, each containing 100 Arabic books, to Italy, Greece, and the United States. Meanwhile, the Ara initiative produced 20 new audiobooks and developed accessible formats like braille, large print, and EPUB3. Additionally, the *Stitching Hope for Gaza* campaign, in collaboration with the UAE Red Crescent, supported Palestinian children affected by conflict.
Looking ahead to 2025, KF plans to deepen local and international partnerships to promote Arabic literacy in underserved communities. Furthermore, the board emphasized raising awareness to secure sustained support for current and future projects. Innovative initiatives to enhance reading and learning experiences for children in challenging environments are also part of the strategy.
After the meeting, Sheikha Bodour and board members toured Najd Al-Maqsar. This historic site, managed by Shurooq, includes restored 100-year-old houses transformed into luxury accommodations. The site’s rich history and archaeological significance highlight the cultural heritage of Khorfakkan.
