The holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan is not just about fasting but also about spending time in prayer and contemplation; in recitation of verses from the Quran. Ramadan is also the month where the faithful are encouraged to do good deeds and help those less fortunate than themselves. Many recent acts of charity and giving in the UAE owe themselves to this holy month. In addition certain UAE businessmen have pledged half of their wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Badr Jafr, (CEO Crescent Enterprises), BR Shetty (founder NMC Health and UAE Exchange) and Shamseer Vayalil (VPS Healthcare founder and managing director). These are three UAE based businesspersons who have joined Bill & Belinda Gates and Warren Buffet's Giving Pledge. Under this pledge, wealthy people pledge half of their wealth to charitable causes. They bequeath this wealth in their wills or give it away during their lifetime. Nine billionaires from the US and one each from India and Canada have pledged to do the same.
Founder-Chairperson of the Pure Gold Group and philanthropist Firoz Merchant has made a unique charitable constitution – to prison inmates. This is a part of the Abu Dhabi police initiative We Are All Police, where Merchant paid an amount of AED650,000 ($177,000) to free over 500 prison inmates. Not only did he free them by paying their debts, he also booked air ticket for them to return to their home countries.
The Abu Dhabi police are also engaged in other Ramadan initiatives in conjunction with volunteers from charitable organisations. As many as 4,750 hungry and thirsty motorists receive free meals and beverages at about ten intersections in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at the time of Iftar. Simple, yet kind gestures, can help build bridges in societies, says Brigadier Mohammad Suhail Al Rashidi of the Abu Dhabi police.
Also for the holy month of Ramadan, an Ajman based charitable organisation allocated Dh57 million. This is for helping the underprivileged via various campaigns aimed at low income families and orphans, health, educational & social developmental projects and various other Ramadan related expenses.
Little kids who are a part of British Orchard Nurseries have got in on the giving act. They have helped make up gift boxes for the less fortunate inspired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s For You – Lakum initiative. The gift boxes contain education supplies, stationery, personal care items as well as toys.
The Back to School program of Dubai cares is aimed at providing relief to kids, families, teachers and nurses in areas ravaged by war and natural calamities. The Emirates Red Crescent is collects clothing, books, toys and food to redistribute to the needy. The Al Jalila Foudation is collaborating with 15 Marriot properties to fun medical treatment and research for children. The SmartLife Foudation will be distributing kits containing personal care products, phone card and prepaid vouchers to people in labour camps.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
