Doha, Qatar, one of the programmes of the Sultanate of Oman, the so-called Ismaani initiative, has been awarded a prestigious ethics prize at an event organised in Doha, which is why its role in social awareness and inclusion is of significant importance.
Empowering Voices: What is Ismaani?
Ismaani, translated as Hear Me, is a social programme that was introduced in Oman in 2020. It aims at creating awareness of stuttering and empowering those who have it to enable them to build self-confidence and acceptance in society.
Recognition at the 2026 “Our Ethics Award”
The initiative was awarded one of the best in the 2026 Our Ethics Award in Doha. Through this award, projects and programmes that promote better societal change and ethical values in the region are celebrated.
With the assistance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in Oman, Ismaani has evolved from a small group of only a few people to being a community of more than 200 members. It has trainers with high international qualifications to offer quality services and education to participants.
Milestones and Impact
Since its release, Ismaani has attained many major recognitions in the Arab world:
- Recognised by the Oman Human Rights Commission in 2022
- Ranked among the top 10 volunteer initiatives in the Arab region at the Beirut Volunteers Award in 2024
- Received the Youth Excellence Award in 2025 for outreach and community contribution
These achievements are an indication of the efforts made by the initiative to provide assistance to people who stutter and to promote more awareness about the diversity in speech in society.
Such recognition in the present world illustrates that community-led efforts can positively impact localities as well as the region at large.
Such recognition demonstrates how community-driven initiatives can create positive change both locally and regionally, and highlights the growing role of organizations like Arab Updates in promoting awareness, support, and collaboration across the region.
