THE holy month of Ramadan always sees a number of wp initiatives in Dubai and UAE by individuals and corporates alike. This year too, a variety of wp campaigns are bringing the spirit of Ramadan alive among the cross-section of UAE residents.
Chief among them is the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, spearheading a campaign every year by taking up a vital cause. This year, the Sheikh’s campaign for Ramadan is to provide clean water for 5 million people. The campaign has seen a collection of 90 million dirhams in just eight days – the key contributors have been big local firms and individual expats.
Several other wp initiatives are following suit. One of the two telecom companies ‘du’ is running a campaign called 30 Days of Sharing. Social media users (using #30DaysofSharing) are invited to share their special Ramadan moments. Every post made using this hashtag will see ‘du’ donate AED10 towards Iftar meals to be distributed to the less fortunate at mosques.
A couple of residents of Dubai have got together to serve 130 labourers every day of Ramadan. “Our campaign is called Filling Blue Belly as the labourers wear blue uniforms. It’s a great time to be philanthropic even in a small way, “ says Debbie Rogers, part of Filling Blue Belly initiative.
Hotels and Henna
Meanwhile, Saleh Bin Lahej (SBL) group has launched its “Dine for a Cause” campaign in all its group restaurants during the Holy month of Ramadan. During the entire month of Ramadan, all restaurants of the SBL group will exhibit and sell merchandise from both, Dubai Centre for Special Needs (DCSN) and Al Noor Training Centre for Special Needs (Al Noor). All proceeds from all the restaurants on the 15th day of Ramadan will be contributed to these two organizations that work with special children.
Mohammed Saleh Bin Lahej, Group CEO, said, “Our restaurants have always been popular in the UAE and by adding an element of philanthropy to the concept of getting together to celebrate with family and friends, we hope to inspire others to contribute more.”
In the spirit of the season, even some malls in Dubai have put up Henna tents – the proceeds will be given to a charity chosen by the mall.
Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Hotels & Resorts is to work with the UAE Red Crescent to support its ‘Ramadan to Remember’ wp programme. The hotel will host an Iftar dinner at its Gems restaurant for 20 orphaned children, nominated by the Red Crescent, with gifts, games, and live entertainment. As part of the campaign, local corporations and organisations will be invited to sponsor Iftar evenings during Ramadan for AED2500 per night for up to 20 children. Cristal Hotels will also donate AED20 to the Red Crescent for every standard room booked during the holy month.
Cristal COO Kamal Fakhoury said, “ Ramadan is synonymous with generosity and kindness, and we look forward to opening our hearts and doors to these less fortunate children to enable them to have a good time. Our ‘Ramadan to Remember’ package allows corporations to do that little bit extra for the community.”
