Syrian orphans and young cancer patients enjoy Eid celebrations with Emirates Red Crescent


  • English
  • Arabic

Orphans and paediatric cancer patients in Syria have enjoyed an Eid Al Adha celebration organised for them by Emirates Red Crescent.

Nearly 100 children were brought together by charity workers on the second day of the holiday in the Syrian province of Latakia as part of Operation Gallant Knight 2.

The celebration was held in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Crescent, and is part of the UAE's humanitarian relief effort to help people affected by the deadly earthquake which struck the region on February 6.

In a video released online the children were shown singing songs and playing games with the charity workers.

Mohammed Al Kaabi, head of the ERC delegation in Syria, said the gesture aims to "spread smiles and happiness among the orphaned and children fighting cancer on Eid, enabling them to experience the festivities alongside their friends," according to state news agency Wam.

Ruba Hussien, secretary-general of the Assawari Association, a community organisation in Syria, expressed her gratitude to the UAE for bringing joy to children who are in desperate circumstances.

Operation Gallant Knight 2 is one of the UAE's actions aimed at supporting Syrians under the guidance of its leadership.

As part of the operation, 186 aircraft and four ships with essential food supplies, medicines and medical equipment have been dispatched to support the recovery of the Syrian people.

Earlier this month, a fourth UAE aid ship arrived at Syria's port of Latakia, carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of aid.

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

Updated: June 30, 2023, 9:23 PM