‘Make a wish’ fulfils requests of three Dubai residents
dubai — Aligning with the message of giving, Al Ghurair Centre’s CSR programme ‘Omniyati’ (which means make a wish) saw 9,000 wishes requested by people across the UAE. However, three wishes were picked to be granted.
The most touching wishes that were granted were of a working mum struggling to get the best for her fourmonth-old; an engineer who wished to buy clothes for 30 underprivileged kids; and a Syrian expat who was surprised with tickets and visa for his mother’s visit to Dubai.
To participate in this initiative, people were requested to log on to Omniyati website to nominate themselves, a friend or a relative who they believed should have a special wish come true.
For Mohammed Abdulla, a Syrian expat living in Dubai for 17 years, it was the biggest news of his life as he had not seen his mother in 15 years and Omniyati granted this wish. “I was browsing through Facebook when I stumbled upon the Omniyati initiative. I let them know that due to financial issues I could never invite my ailing mother to the UAE. I jumped with joy when I got a call from Al Ghurair Centre management saying they were sponsoring tickets and visa for my mother to travel to Dubai. “It is such a lovely initiative to bring happiness to the residents of the country and my saying ‘Thank you’ cannot do justice for this big favour they have done on me,” added Abdulla.
Magy Elnajjar wrote in her wish list in Omniyati that she wanted to give her baby all the essential items, which she probably could not afford with her salary. Magy is a working mum, living in Dubai for four years. “I had never tried my luck before in such competitions but my husband helped me register for this initiative.”
Magy was thrilled and surprised when she received a call about a generous gift voucher and discount coupons from popular baby essentials brands available at Al Ghurair Centre in Deira.
A construction engineer with a heart of gold is how Briton Ahmed Ali can be described as he didn’t wish for anything for himself but only wished to bring happiness to 30 underprivileged kids by taking them shopping for clothes to Al Ghurair Centre.
Ahmed, who is actively involved in a number of charity initiatives in Dubai, said: “I am excited to take
It is such a lovely initiative to bring happiness to residents and my saying ‘Thank you’ cannot do justice for this big favour.”
Mohammed Abdulla, Syrian expat
these children for shopping to Al Ghurair Centre. These moments are priceless.”
Lauding the initiative, Ali said: “It is a lovely initiative as they care to hear out people’s wishes and make their dreams come true. Even though I am not a millionaire,
I had never tried my luck before in such competitions but my husband helped me register for this initiative.” Magy Elnajjar, working mum
There are people who are living without basic things in life and nothing can bring me more happiness than to bring smile to their faces.”
Ahmed Ali, British expat
I have things that I need. There are people who are living without basic things in life and nothing can bring me more happiness than to provide some of them some little things that can bring smile to their face.”
This is the second year of the Omniyati initiative that was launched during the holy month of Ramadan. This initiative is part of Al Ghurair Centre’s ongoing CSR programme, which was officially launched last year during Ramadan.