Qatar: Qatar Tourism, through Visit Qatar, marked the second edition of Purple Saturday 2026. The national initiative promotes the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities while encouraging participating venues to provide more accessible and inclusive experiences.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, Ahmed Al-Binali, expressed pride in supporting Purple Saturday for the second consecutive year. He emphasized Qatar Tourism's commitment to making Qatar a more inclusive and accessible destination. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and tourism partners, Qatar Tourism aims to enhance accessible experiences across the tourism sector. The Qatar Toy Festival plays a key role in these efforts, offering complimentary access and an inclusive experience for people with disabilities. The strong turnout at last year's celebration highlights the growing momentum behind the initiative and the community's significant role in advancing accessibility and inclusion.
First launched by the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2021, Purple Saturday is observed annually on the last Saturday of July. Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across the GCC, reflecting a shared regional commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equal participation.
In Qatar, Purple Saturday united stakeholders from the public and private sectors to champion accessibility, raise awareness, and encourage greater community engagement. As part of this year's edition, Qatar Calendar hosted a dedicated Purple Saturday celebration at the Qatar Toy Festival, with complimentary access for people with disabilities. In recognition of the occasion, numerous prominent buildings and landmarks across Qatar were illuminated in purple, demonstrating the country's collective support for inclusion and accessibility.
Supporting the initiative, Qatar Tourism stakeholders, including hotels and retail outlets, offered exclusive discounts and enhanced accessibility services and experiences throughout Purple Saturday. Purple Saturday underscores Qatar's ongoing commitment to building a suitable environment that enables people with disabilities to access services and experiences independently, promoting inclusion and social responsibility.