UAE charities step up and provide more in the Year of Giving
As is the case every Ramadan, the spirit of giving is in the air in the UAE. However, it has a different flavour in 2017, as it was the announced the ‘Year of Giving’ by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
On these blessed days, people become compassionate and more ready to give to the poor, needy, and low income people, and it becomes normal to see free Iftar meals contributed everywhere, mainly at Ramadan tents.
Such an overwhelming spirit of giving and social responsibility is not limited to public and private sector entities, but span individuals as well; eEmiratis and expatriates alike. Renowned scholar Dr Sheikh Mohammed Ashmawy said that Almighty Allah has urged giving for charity in so many verses of the Holy Quran, as in verse 57/11 which reads: “(Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan (give for charity) so He will multiply it for him and he will have a noble reward?”
Giving for charity in Ramadan means more reward, he added. “Righteous deeds are amply rewarded in the holy month in comparison to other months, as advised by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).”
One can shield himself from hellfire by giving half a date for charity, as affirmed by the Prophet (PBUH), Dr. Ashmawy said. “Almighty Allah accepts charity and enlarges its reward until it grows up like a mountain.”
Muslims are also urged give mandatory Zakat or alms when due in terms of time (one year) and amount (equivalent to 85gm of gold), he said. “This is added to Zakat Al Fitr, which has been prescribed by the Prophet (PBUH) in Ramadan.”
Meanwhile, charity associations become more vibrant in Ramadan and launch a big number of philanthropic campaigns to secure the basic food needs for vulnerable people.
Beit Al Khair Society (Baks) launched its seasonal campaign, in which it is all set to spend Dh110 million on about 25,000 low income families during its three-month drive, according to Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, general manager of Beit Al Khair Society. “The Ramadan Meer or Foodstuff Packages project cost over Dh7.5 million this season.”
Saeed Mubarak Al Mazrooei, deputy general manager of Baks, said that food is contributed via food coupons and e-cards of different values. “The beneficiaries may then buy their food needs from the accredited union coops and outlets.”
The Dubai Charity Association has also announced promising plans to spend Dh60 million on eligible beneficiaries, according to Ahmad Mohammed Mismaar, secretary general of the Association. “We plan to spend Dh1,700,000 on ‘Meer Ramadan’ packages this year. These foodstuff baskets will be contributed to 15,000 poor and low income families locally and worldwide.”
Hundreds of thousands of mass Iftar meals will be contributed for free in the UAE and globally, he added. “Free Iftar meals, worth Dh1.5 million, will be distributed in 50 mosques across the country; 100 daily meals each.”
Last Ramadan, Dar Al Ber Society contributed 247,000 free Iftar meals, worth more than Dh37 million. “Official records show that over 10,000 low income families have benefited from these free meals,” Abdullah Ali bin Zayed, executive director of Dar Al Ber Society.
The Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation also announced promising plans to distribute up to 100,000 free Iftar meals to poor people, mainly blue-collar workers this Ramadan. As many as 5,000 low-income people registered with the Foundation from across the country, mainly the northern emirates, benefit from the pioneering seasonal scheme.
Basic foods, including rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, dates, and other necessary items are included in the packages being distributed.
The Ras Al Khaimah police have further started distributing free Iftar meals to the drivers and travellers on the roads at the Iftar time. Colonel Ahmed bin Juma, Director of the RAK Community Police said that they would contribute as many as 16,000 free Iftar meals during the holy month, as is the case every year. “The Federal Community Police is also to chip in the project with 3,500 Iftar meals while the RAK Rock Company is to contribute 3,000 meals to the same programme.”