A nationwide celebration of giving back to the society
It is a nationwide celebration of giving more for charity. This is how we can best describe the diverse almsgiving activities in every nook and corner of the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan. This is not only limited to government departments but span private sector entities and regular people. Everyone is passionate about showing solidarity, easing the suffering of vulnerable people and securing their needs all through the holy month. Charity associations undertake a big share of this, with thousands of free Iftar meals being distributed at massive Ramadan tents across the country.
The Dubai-based Dar Al Ber Society (Dabs) has recently unveiled its promising plans to support up to 369,100 poor and low-income people this Ramadan.
“The list of vulnerable beneficiaries spans 369,100 vulnerable people and 500 low-income families in the UAE and 36 countries around the world,” said Khalfan Khalifa Al Mazrouie, chairman of the Society.
The Ras Al Khaimah Charity Foundation has further distributed ‘Meer Ramadan’ or foodstuff baskets worth Dh162,000 to 1,160 vulnerable families registered there.
Mohammed Jakkah Al Mansouri, secretary general of the foundation, said they are so keen to secure all the food needs for poor and low-income families during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The charity baskets, including flour, sugar, rice, oil, and other necessary foodstuff, ease the suffering of these families, and fulfil their daily needs during the month of giving.”
Al Mansouri added that the foundation is also distributing up to 1,200 free Iftar meals at six different sites close to the grand mosques of the northern emirate.
“The meals, worth Dh320,000, are being provided by six specialised kitchens licensed by the RAK municipality for preparing Iftar meals that are shifted to the six air-conditioned tents on a daily basis.”
The same spirit of giving has been adopted by Beit Al Khair Society, which has distributed foodstuff coupons, worth Dh12 million to vulnerable people as part of its pioneering scheme the ‘Ramadan Meer’.
Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, general director of Beit Al Khair Society, said: “The food coupons have been distributed to 4,394 of the families registered with the Dubaibased Society, as well as 1,222 families who receive seasonal allowances.”
Beit Al Khair has allotted up to Dh90 million for its Ramadan campaign this year, he added. “The society is also geared up to distribute around 500,000 free meals during the holy month of Ramadan.”
These will be contributed at 45 massive Ramadan Iftar tents all over Dubai and the northern emirates, he said. “The biggest of these tents will be the ‘Zayed Al Khair Tent’ at the Muhaisana area. It will accommodate up to 2,000 people every day.”
The emirate of Umm Al Quwain is also seeing 38 massive Iftar tents where 1,500 daily free Iftar meals are provided for vulnerable people at their locations during the holy month.