Minister of Endowments Muhammad Shukri inaugurated the Take My Hand Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Children on the Autism Spectrum in the Damascus countryside, marking a new effort to support children with special needs and promote social inclusion.
The center, located at the Othman bin Affan Mosque, opened through cooperation between the Ministry of Endowments and the Take My Hand Development Foundation. The facility seeks to provide specialized services for children on the autism spectrum through individualized programs designed to meet each child’s specific needs.
The center offers behavioral analysis sessions, speech and language therapy, educational support, communication skills development and daily living skills training. It also provides guidance and counseling services for families, recognizing the important role parents and caregivers play in a child’s development.
Emphasizing Community Responsibility
During the opening ceremony, Shukri described support for children on the autism spectrum and their families as a humanitarian and social responsibility. He acknowledged the challenges many families face while caring for neurodivergent children, emphasizing the importance of strengthening health, education and social services.
Shukri said society has a duty to support its most vulnerable members through cooperation and solidarity. He stressed assistance can take many forms, including financial support, moral encouragement and community engagement, all of which contribute to a more inclusive environment for affected families. His remarks highlighted the need for collective efforts to improve opportunities for children with autism and ensure they receive appropriate care and support.
Building Opportunities for Children With Autism
Anas Sheikha, chairman of the board of directors of the Take My Hand Foundation, said children on the autism spectrum require understanding and specialized services helping them develop their abilities to participate more fully in society.
He noted the center resulted from coordination among several ministries and national and community institutions. According to Sheikha, the initiative reflects a commitment to providing children with autism access to education, rehabilitation and opportunities for personal development.
Sheikha also emphasized many children with autism possess talents and abilities which can flourish when given proper support. He said the center aims to provide families with resources and reassurance while serving as a symbol of cooperation among public and community institutions.
The opening ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador Khalifa bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud al-Sharif, Quneitra Gov. Ghassan Ahmad, members of the Supreme Fatwa Council, Damascus Endowments Director Muhammad al-Aqil, Damascus Countryside Endowments Director Rifaa Abdulfattah and other official and religious figures.
Foundation’s Broader Initiative
The Take My Hand Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in Turkey in 2018 and officially registered in Syria in 2025, implements humanitarian projects for affected communities in both countries.
Earlier this year, on Feb. 12, the foundation launched the Understand Me initiative in cooperation with the ministries of endowments, education, higher education and scientific research, health, social affairs and labor, and culture. The initiative seeks to support children on the autism spectrum throughout Syria while raising awareness for their needs and expanding access to specialized services.
