Today's Edition
ISTANBUL (WAM)
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, visited today the Sheikh Zayed Children's Complex in Istanbul, accompanied by Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye.
During the visit, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima and Emine Erdoğan viewed a presentation introducing the complex’s comprehensive programmes dedicated to child care, highlighting its efforts to provide an integrated educational, social, and healthy environment for children.
The session opened with recitations from the Holy Quran, delivered by one of the children at the complex.
The presentation also emphasised the complex’s role in supporting bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Türkiye in early childhood development. It spotlighted educational initiatives designed to instill humanitarian values, enhance children’s mental and creative abilities, and provide academic and psychological support to gifted students.
Representatives of the complex delivered an overview of its goals and vision, focusing on nurturing children in a safe and stimulating environment. They explained the centre's dedication to supporting the educational, psychological, and social aspects of child development, empowering children to discover their talents and potential, and thus preparing a distinguished generation capable of positively contributing to society.
During the visit, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima also received a detailed presentation on the redevelopment project of the Sheikh Zayed Children's Complex in Istanbul.
The project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Community Development and the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services in Türkiye. With a value of Dh40 million, the project marks a transformational step in delivering specialised child care services.
The presentation included details about expansion, maintenance, and modernisation work carried out under a comprehensive plan to ensure the facility continues to operate at high efficiency, aligned with global best practices in child care. The development covered facility expansion, enhancements to living, learning, and psychological support environments.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima praised the outstanding efforts invested in the complex, calling it a prominent humanitarian institution that reflects the historic and distinguished relations between the UAE and Türkiye. She underscored the importance of such humanitarian projects in strengthening joint cooperation and achieving social solidarity, emphasising that child care and ensuring a dignified life for children is a top priority of the UAE’s humanitarian mission worldwide.
During her visit, Her Highness listened to a moving speech by a young adult raised in the complex, who described the facility not merely as a residence but as a nurturing and humanitarian environment that shaped his character and instilled in him hope and ambition. He expressed his deep gratitude to the UAE for its continued care and noble initiatives, which reflect its profound humanitarian commitment to supporting and empowering children globally.
Her Highness also watched a performance by a choir group composed of children from the centre, who expressed their dreams of a bright future, and conveyed hopeful messages filled with optimism and confidence in life.
Lastly, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima visited the nursery section of the complex, where she reviewed its facilities and services offered to children from newborn to two years old, praising the high standard of care and attention provided during this critical early stage of life.
Following that, Sana bin Mohammed Suhail, UAE Minister of Family, delivered a speech in which she affirmed that the Sheikh Zayed Children’s Complex in Istanbul stands as a testament to the deep and close ties between the two friendly countries and their peoples. She noted that the centre represents a continuation of the legacy of giving established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who left behind an enduring legacy of achievements reflecting goodness, compassion, and humanity around the world.
She stated that since its inauguration in 1990, the complex has provided a safe and nurturing environment for children in need of care — not only offering them shelter, but also ensuring their proper upbringing, enabling them to build a promising future through a variety of services including education, healthcare, and psychological and emotional support.
She added that the UAE and the Republic of Türkiye enjoy strong historical relations built upon a shared vision and deep-rooted values that connect the two brotherly peoples, foremost among them being social solidarity and care for the most vulnerable—the foundation upon which we build a prosperous future for generations to come.
She also emphasised that under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the UAE places great importance on supporting families and children, and works sustainably to provide comprehensive support and care, which has contributed to the country's pioneering achievements in this field.
She further noted that with the designation of 2025 as the Year of Community in the UAE, the importance of strengthening societal cohesion is reaffirmed. The family is the foundation of society, and caring for its members is essential to building a strong community capable of facing challenges and achieving prosperity.
In conclusion, she reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to this strategic partnership with the Republic of Türkiye, and pledged to continue working together to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for both brotherly nations.
On her part, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services of Türkiye, delivered a speech in which she emphasised the depth of the relationship between the Republic of Türkiye and the UAE, praising the pioneering role played by the UAE in supporting humanitarian and social initiatives at both the regional and international levels.
She commended the efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in championing women’s and children’s issues on regional and global stages. She praised Her Highness’s visionary humanitarian leadership, which has served as an inspiration for numerous social and developmental initiatives around the world.
She expressed her country’s aspiration to further strengthen this constructive cooperation, particularly in areas related to child protection and family empowerment, through experience exchange and the development of joint programmes. This, she noted, reflects the shared vision of both countries in enhancing quality of life and achieving sustainable development for their societies.
Accompanying Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak during her visit were His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, wife of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
The accompanying delegation also included Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Community Development; Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education; Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, UAE Minister of Family; Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet; Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State; Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and The Future; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, UAE Minister of State; Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union; and Reem bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood.
