Culture & Education | Sunday 24 March, 2019 6:25 pm |

Seeking to raise publicawareness about hearing impairment and the needs of the deaf who represent animportant segment of society, Dar Al-Hekma University recently held an evententitled “Social Responsibility… Humanitarian Quality”. 

 

The event comes in line with DarAl-Hekma Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program as a national prestigiouseducational institution that graduates students with high caliber who understandthe meaning of social responsibility values as a humanitarian quality.

 

The list of attendees includes Princess Noufbint Miqrin, Princess Alanoud bint Muhammad Al-Saud, Princess Maha bint FahdAl-Saud, Mrs. Khairiyah Rahimi, Soad Al-Jafali, Mrs. Omama Abbar, Mrs. WafaMahmoud Abbar, Wife of Sheikh Salih Al-Turki, Wife of Mr. Abdulelah binMahfoud, Daughter of Sheikh Salih Al-Turki, Mrs. Sultana Ali Reda and Mrs.Leena Al-Maeena.   

A theater show in sign language waspresented during the event, accompanied by musical pieces in sign language aswell. Educational segments on hearing impairment were organized to highlightthe great capabilities the deaf people possess and how to empower them and makethem integrate easily in society.

 

Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi, President of DarAl-Hekma University, said the physically challenged constitute basic foundationof the university’s social responsibility policy. Such events are held topromote sign language and enhance communication with the physically challengedand remove any language barrier. It is important that they become aware oftheir rights as members of society and are provided with better health andrehabilitation services. 

 

“Some of the deaf people have bettercapabilities than their healthy counterparts who do not suffer from a disability.They are capable of displaying such powers whenever they have proper supportand find persons who believe in them. This is our aim from such event,” shesaid.

 

In her short speech, Dr. SameeraDehaithem, dean of School of Health Behavioral Sciences and Education,said, “The world of the deaf is not far away from us, but also not close to us. It is a mysterious world about which we know nothing except its name but thereality on the ground is different. The deaf are among us, yet we cannot seebut their bodies. On their faces and eyes, there is a thousand questions. Theyare silent, thinking deeply in complete silence while we know nothing aboutthem day after day. Our lack of knowledge has increased their isolation. Yes, we do sympathize with them for a moment but once we leave the place we forgetabout them and their special world, movements, body language, sign language andexpressions whom only few understand and many do not. We have contributed totheir isolation.”