Hundreds join beach clean-up drive
The Ministry of Municipality Public Cleanliness Department’s Beaches and Islands Section has carried out several beach clean-up campaigns at Zekreet, Simaisma Family Beach, Abu Samra, Ras Abu Fontas and Al Jasasiya as part of the activities marking the World Cleanup Day 2026. The campaigns aimed to raise environmental awareness and promote a culture of clean beaches and coastal protection. A total of 469 participants from government entities, civil society organisations, private-sector volunteers, schools, and community members took part in the campaigns. The initiatives resulted in the removal of approximately 1,603kg of general waste, recyclable materials, wood, bulky waste and marine grass debris. Accordingly, Mohamed Faraj al-Kubaisi, Assistant Director of the Public Cleanliness Department, said the World Cleanup Day activities represent an important opportunity to strengthen community partnerships and raise environmental awareness across society. He noted that strong participation by government and private entities, schools, volunteers, and community members reflects a growing culture of shared responsibility for protecting the environment and beaches, while supporting the Ministry of Municipality’s efforts to achieve a clean and sustainable environment. Meanwhile, Hajaj al-Kubaisi, head of the Beaches and Islands Section, said the campaigns achieved positive results in participation and in the quantities of waste collected and sorted. He affirmed that the Beaches and Islands Section continues to implement awareness programmes and field campaigns throughout the year to maintain the cleanliness of beaches and islands and encourage different segments of society to participate in protecting the coastal environment. He also praised the co-operation of various government entities, private-sector organisations, schools, youth centres, and volunteers, highlighting their role in the campaigns’ success. He stressed that co-ordinated community efforts help raise awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources. The beach clean-up campaigns also involved the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; the Friends of the Municipality team of Al Shehaniyah Municipality; the municipalities of Al Shamal, Al Rayyan and Al Daayen; the Public Parks Department; the Mechanical Equipment Department at the Ministry of Municipality; Al Jumailiyah Youth Centre; Simaisma Youth Centre; Lavajet Company; and a number of students from Lubaba Bint Al-Harith Primary School for Girls.