Ghanim Mohammed al Muftah

Name: Ghanim Mohammed Al Muftah

Native Name: ‫غانم محمد المفتاح‬
Date born: 5 March 2002
Nationality: Qatari
Favorite Sports: Swimming, Scuba Diving, Skateboarding, Ice skating and Football
Occupation: Student, humanitarian, disabilities, children's rights without discrimination

Born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare disorder which impairs the development of the
lower spine. Given very little chance of survival by doctors initially, Ghanim, whose name means
‘winner’ in Arabic, has gone on to surprise everyone and inspire people around the world.

My Publications and Books

1) I am Here: Written through the eyes and strength of Ghanim (Both in English and Arabic)
2003
2) Be Brave: in 2004 (Arabic)
3) Ghanim and the secret of Al Wakrah Castle (Arabic)
4) Ghanim and the Wheel Chair (Arabic)
5) ‫ حنان السعيد‬-‫رواية حدثني غانم فقال للكاتبة‬

A movie “Journey into the Depths” soon to be released

Ghanim has written good stories about his life in both Arabic and English. The book about
Ghanim is an important tool in sharing information and great experience about his life. The
book aims to spread the awareness about his disability and inspire his pears and specially
people with disabilities.
Ghanim notes that strong will and faith in God is the key of inspiration and a source of strength
for him as he writes in the first words of the book: My name is Ghanim, Qatari child born in
Doha on May 5 2002. ‘I am always a winner let us read my beautiful story together ‘. I have
learned how to make my disability a strength point and have demonstrated how motivations
and positive energy can blend and eliminate any kind of limitations, achieving unbelievable
success and objectives.
In June 2003, Gulf times has featured Ghanim for the first time and followed by daily reports in
August of the same year. Eman, his mother prepared and published four books and CD’s
featuring video clip of Ghanim’s life.
One of the published book illustrations was done by his mother. The book became a sort of
guide for children who needs to admit in the hospital with Ghanim acting as the narrator.
My winning smile and cheerful manner has become a beacon of hope for physically- changed
children continues to amaze every one with his progress and hopes his daily life experiences
has formed a formidable source of inspiration for Qatari Youth and a success story of reaching
their goals through persistence.

Entrepreneur- Gharissa Ice cream

“Ghanim the Winner” is the founder and owner of Gharissa Ice cream located in Qatar.
(Ghanim Mohammad Almuftah in Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sey5A2JjxM)

As a young entrepreneur, Ghanim is celebrating his successful and expanding business started
with Entrepreneur Middle East and North Africa in 2014. He won the Social Entrepreneur of the
Year award with his dream to franchise Gharissa Ice cream in other gulf countries and around
the world.

Aside from developing ice cream flavors, Ghanim is participating in providing services and
therapies for person with related disabilities in the region. He established the Association of
Ghanim that aims to raise fund for wheel chairs to supply the needy.
A recipient of numerous awards for these and other humanitarian efforts, Ghanim Al Muftah
has crisscrossed the world, to countries like to inspire children to learn the skills of
entrepreneurship, so they may start business of their own and learn for the first time the true
meaning of independence and self- realization.

My Instagram account ‘@g_almuftah’, launched in February 2013, has over 1.2 M followers.
After the success and number of followers on his Instagram account, Ghanim and his family
launched the Ghanim Almuftah Foundation for peace and prosperity. The foundation
encourages physically disabled people to integrate with mainstream society.
In 2015, Ghanim fulfilled his ambition and became a certified Open Water Diver (scuba diving)
In April 2016, Ghanim undertook his “first climbing” adventure going uphill to the peak of the
Jebel Shams mountain in Oman, considered to be the highest in the Arabian Gulf countries and
raised the Flag of Qatar on its summit. The hike on the mountain is roughly 10 kilometers uphill.

My positivity comes from my family who have taught me that life is beautiful and that nothing
is impossible. My mother has taught me that disabled people are capable of giving more and
can be active in the society.

ACHIEVEMENTS

 Unsung Heroes from 21st Century Leaders Foundation in 2009

 Names “Ambassador of Peace” by H.H the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-
Sabah in 2014

http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2413267&language=en

 Goodwill Ambassador of Reach Out To Asia – ROTA Foundations 2015

A project will offer a safe haven for 5,000 youths living in the refugee camp, where they
can learn, play and socialize. Ghanim enjoyed his visit to Al Nahr Al Bared refugee camp
in Lebanon, where he spent time talking to the children about their needs and dreams.
With the help of Ghanim, Rota aims to raise funds for a green sports facility near Nahr El
Bared to serve as a community facility for youth aged 16 to 25 years, affected by the
poor conditions and substandard facilities of the refugee camp.

The center stems from the plus sports' methodology, whereby sport is used as a
pathway to guide children via confidence-building, practicing social skills, vocational
training and preparatory learning support.
http://www.qf.org.qa/app/media/31509

http://www.gulf-times.com/story/444849/ROTA-s-goodwill-ambassador-to-raise-
money-for-Pale

http://www.reachouttoasia.org/en/press_release/2015/rota%E2%80%99s-goodwill-
ambassador-visits-lebanon-raise-money-palestinian-child-refugees-ramadan
 https://www.reachouttoasia.org/en/rota%E2%80%99s-goodwill-ambassador-visits-
lebanon-raise-money-palestinian-child-refugees-ramadan

 Ambassador for Childhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZdVvcTzXTU

 Brand Ambassador for Qatar Financial Centre Authority

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has named Ghanim al-Muftah as its brand ambassador.

https://www.gulf-times.com/story/443706/Ghanim-al-Muftah-named-QFC-brand-
ambassador
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhCDyOros8c

 Barwa Bank Media Ambassador of the year 2015

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/361222/documentary-on-physically-
challenged-teen-qatari-diver-to-be-released-next-year

 Youth Ambassador of the Paralympics Athletics World Champions – Doha 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTcqkGmy9JM
http://www.paralympic.org/news/doha-2015-opens-spectacular-ceremony
http://marhaba.qa/ipc-athletics-world-championships-opens/

 Arab Social Networking Pioneers for Youth 2015, the award of Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/media/digital/2015/03/17/Arab-social-media-leaders-
honored-at-Dubai-summit.html

 Honored by the King of Bahrain H.H Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for my participation in the
social and sports events in the Gulf States

 Named by the Media in the GCC as the Ambassador of Goodness and Humanity by
Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) Qatar
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBjarTfGeax/
 Ghanim Ghaffiya- The Most Expensive in the world
His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, And Her Highness
Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, attended Reach Out to Asia’s (ROTA) biennial Gala Dinner
2016, Doha Qatar.
Ghanim's ghaffia was donated by His Highness for auction and fetched $350,000 in total
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Tbz12eeNA
 Ghanim Al- Muftah: Raises one (1) million riyal for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
ROTA Goodwill Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah raised QR 1 million through his “With
you, we reach one million riyals’ campaign. Ghanim founded the campaign in January
2015 in a bid to raise the money to fund the rehabilitation of sporting facilities in
Palestinian refugee camps in Southern Lebanon.
http://www.reachouttoasia.org/en/press_release/2016/international-luminaries-raise-
more-15-million-education-initiatives-6th-rota-gala-dinner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjMv-MpuzA8

 GCC Motor bikers paid tribute to Ghanim Al-Muftah 2016

Paying tribute to 13-year-old incredible Qatari boy, as many as 600 amateur and
professional bikers from GCC countries followed the very personification of courage and
confidence – Ghanim Al Muftah – on the Corniche Road.
The event was organised by Batabit Qatar in collaboration with The Chiefs MCC and Al
Adaam MCC. Not only bikers representing various motorcycle clubs of Qatar were there
to pay homage to the boy with special needs, but also around 200 bikers from other
GCC countries joined the rally to salute the boy for his unflagging determination and
enthusiasm. The rally culminated at Doha Marriott Hotel. It was a spectacular sight as
hundreds of bikers in their two-wheelers and three-wheelers followed Ghanim along the
sea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOHFdXK0pRw
 PERFORMS UMRAH AT MAKKAH
In Mecca, Ghanim undertook the pilgrimage without his wheelchair, while walking on
his hands while circling the Kaaba.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op_92S8WSkg
 UNITED NATIONS YOUTH FORUM 2017

Ghanim AL-muftah had the honor of representing Qatar in UNODC Youth Initiative and
will continue to work with Qatar to help young people all around the world to change
the realities in their schools and communities, and support the health and well-being, of
their peers
 https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/21/03/2017/UN-Youth-Forum-chooses-
Qatari-student-Ghanim-Al-Muftah-as-official-speaker

 TAKREEM AWARD (YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR) 2017 –AMMAN JORDAN

Founded in 2009 to celebrate the accomplishments of Arabs in the fields of science,

culture, environment, education, humanitarian aid and economy, according to its
founder Ricardo Karam, TAKREEM held its 8th award ceremony in Amman, gathering
noted Arab personalities from the region in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Noor
and members of the Royal family.

Stressing the role of the award in “empowering, motivating and pushing new
generations to go forward with their ideas”, Karam honoured 15-year-old Ghanim Al
Muftah, a young Qatari entrepreneur born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare
disorder that impairs the development of the lower spine.

http://takreem.org/ceremony-details-8
http://takreem.org/ceremony-gallery-8

 FIRST ANNIVERSARY MIND INSTITUTE QATAR-3 MARCH 2018

Mind Institute, a multidisciplinary special needs centre in Qatar, has treated more than
250 children with special needs since its inception in January 2017.
Well-known public figure Ghanim al-Muftah, a budding entrepreneur, aspirational
Paralympian and a social media success, was one of the special guests on the occasion.

 SECOND FORUM FOR DISABILITY, AL AMAN 16 MARCH 2018

 STORY OF GHANIM IN 8TH GRADE CURRICULUM,MINISTRY OF EDUCATION KUWAIT

Ghanim Al-Muftah, often dubbed the Qatari “miracle child” for having overcome the
physical limits imposed by rare Caudal Regression Syndrome which impaired the
development of his lower spine, is now featured in both Qatari and Kuwaiti school
textbooks.

His life journey is study material for 10th-grade life and vocation skills book,
which is in Arabic. 

https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/19/09/2018/Qatari-teen-wonder-featured-
in-Qatar-and-Kuwait-school-textbooks
 TOP 50 SMEs at ‘SME EXCELLENCE LIST 2018 ’

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has honored the country’s top 50 small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) during the ‘SME Excellence List 2018’ awards ceremony held in
Doha yesterday.
The awards were presented to deserving SMEs in the presence of HE the Governor of
Qatar Central Bank Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani, who is also QDB chairman, and
Qatar Chamber director-general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and Qatar Stock Exchange
CEO Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, as well as other distinguished guests from across state
ministries, diplomatic missions, and leading organizations in Qatar.

https://www.gulf-times.com/story/612943/QDB-honours-top-50-SMEs-at-SME-
Excellence-List-2018

 STEPS WITHOUT FEET BUT TRACES –TEDX QatarUniversity

Love of life, strength, giving back, patience and hope. The young 16-year-old tells his
experience from the day he was born and how this did not prevent him from practicing
various sports and leaving an impact. He took it upon himself to spread peace and love
through his activities and adventures around the world, fulfilling his mission that he
chose since his childhood in pleasing and delighting those around him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MsNqyMmOlo

 KidzMondo Science and Business Fair CONDUCTED BY QDB Young Entrepreneur

Summer Camp
KidzMondo Doha hosted its first annual Science & Business Fair! Children presented
their best, brightest and most innovative ideas for starting a business, creating a new
gadget or improving the community. This initiative powered by QDB was the
culmination of KidzMondo Doha’s annual KIDpreneur program

http://kidzholding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/First-Half-2019-1.pdf

 AL JANUB STADIUM OPENING AL WARAH

Ghanim Al Muftah, often dubbed the Qatari “miracle child” for having overcome the
physical limits imposed by rare Caudal Regression Syndrome which impaired the
development of his lower spine, delivered a speech to loud cheer from the packed
stadium.
 https://www.facebook.com/thepeninsulaqatar/videos/ghanim-al-muftah-at-al-wakra-
stadium-opening-ceremony/822924074751418/

 WHEEL THE WORLD – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,

Wheel The World promotes tourism for those with disabilities, raising awareness of the
challenges they face when choosing travel options and working to make experiences
possible. The collaboration has many high-profile backers including celebrities and
influencers such as Samanta Bullock, Ghanim Al Muftah, and Ahmed Al Shahrani.

https://www.facebook.com/gowheeltheworld/videos/lets-celebrate-disability-
day/737192896791906/