In a global show of solidarity, Egypt’s iconic landmarks, including the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), illuminated their facades in blue on Tuesday night. This symbolic gesture marked World Autism Awareness Day, observed annually on April 2nd.
The lighting initiative mirrored the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, a worldwide movement where renowned buildings and structures turn blue to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum globally, joined prestigious institutions like the United Nations and the White House, who have previously participated in this significant display.
Across Egypt, government buildings including the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Ministry of Social Solidarity (both situated in the New Administrative Capital), and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) actively participated by illuminating their structures in blue.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education encouraged schools and educational directorates nationwide to join the initiative by switching on blue lights.
Coinciding with the illuminations, the Egyptian Autistic Society held its annual celebration at the GEM. This event served as a platform to showcase the talents of individuals on the autism spectrum and was attended by prominent figures including actors Ghada Adel and Taha Desouky, the latter known for his recent portrayal of a successful autistic lawyer in a 2024 drama.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to early detection, Menan Abdel-Maksoud, General Director of Hospitals for the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, announced that the ministry’s mental health platform now offers early detection services for ASD in children aged 16 to 30 months. Abdel-Maksoud further revealed that hospitals under the General Secretariat have seen over 4,500 visits from patients with ASD who receive ongoing treatment.
