Cherie Blair praises the advances in facilities for disabled children in OBG's The Report: Emerging Qatar 2007

Referring to a recent visit to the Shafallah Centre for children with special needs, Mrs. Blair said: "It is admirable that disabled children and their families are benefiting from the amazing developments in this amazing country. It says a great deal about the vision of His Highness the Emir and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah that they are determined that disabled children will also benefit from Qatar's progress."

Talking of the Centre, she said, "It is a remarkable place not just because it is a modern, purpose-built building with the very best equipment. What makes the biggest impression on visitors is the vision, expertise and care provided by staff, led by Mr. Hassan Ali Bin Ali, for the 350 children and young people who are lucky enough to be there. When you visit the Shafallah Centre, you very quickly begin to see how seriously they take the provision of high quality education for disabled children. They understand that it is essential to nurture individual achievement through personalized support, tailored to the needs of each child. So it's about ensuring disabled children can look forward to a future in which they are valued, included and achieve their potential and where, whenever possible, they can enjoy as much independence and make the same choices as everyone else.

"I am told that Shaffalah is a desert flower and there is no doubt that in Qatar disabled children are being given the opportunity to bloom."

Mrs. Blair concluded: "The facilities and services that are developing at the Shafallah Centre are something the people of Qatar can take real pride in."

Written by a team of international analysts, based in Doha, the 200-page report - to be published in August 2007 - will include the full interview with Cherie Blair.