These institutions also joined other state buildings worldwide in the “Light it Up Blue” global campaign, which coincides with World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated annually on 2 April.

Previously, prominent government institutions such as the United Nations and the White House have been illuminated in blue to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day.

In Egypt, the buildings of the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and Ministry of Social Solidarity – located in the New Administrative Capital – and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) turned their buildings blue.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education instructed educational directorates and schools countrywide to participate in celebrating Autism Awareness Day by turning on the blue lights.  

Similarly, Giza’s GEM, the largest archaeological museum in the world, glowed in blue as it hosted the Egyptian Autistic Society’s annual celebration.

The event, which showcased the talents of autistic individuals, was attended by several actors and public figures, including actors Ghada Adel and Taha Desouky (who starred in a 2024 drama about an autistic lawyer who has to surmount many difficulties to achieve success).

In addition, the Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj attended the event.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population participated in the celebration by turning on the blue light at 21 hospitals and medical centres in 15 governorates. 

For her part, the General Director of Hospitals of the General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, Menan Abdel-Maksoud, said the ministry’s mental health platform now provides early detection services for autism for children aged 16-30 months.

Abdel-Maksoud also noted that the General Secretariat's hospitals have received more than 4,500 visits from autism spectrum disorder patients who receive treatment at the Secretariat's hospitals.