Because sometimes we all need a little reminder of just how thoughtful us humans can be.
Ramadan is a time of giving back to the community, and offering a helping hand to those less fortunate than yourself.
Tied with the fact that 2017 is the Year of Giving in the UAE, it seems this Holy Month is off to an exceptionally philanthropic start.
How do we know that? Just look at your social media feeds. If yours is anything like ours, it’s been flooded with evidence of touching acts of generosity taking place across the emirates.
Read:
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So, for a little pick-me-up, we’ve pulled together some of our favourites from the last couple of weeks…
Breaking their fast thousands of feet in the air
لحظة افطار رجال طيران الامن العام فوق سماء مكة المكرمة و تظهر انارة برج الساعة لدخول موعد أذان المغرب 🚁🕋#مكة pic.twitter.com/YLMMgYn42F
— ياسر بخش | فوتوغرافر (@yssooory) June 18, 2017
OK, it’s not as volunteer-based as the ones coming up below (and nor is it taken in the UAE), but you can’t deny that this is one epic photo. Two Saudi public security pilots were snapped tucking into their iftar as they flew towards the kingdom’s Mecca Royal Clock Tower in their helicopter.
The beauty mogul gives back
Huda Kattan and her team got into the spirit of Ramadan recently, volunteering to pack lunches for 3,000 people. “I posted this so to encourage others to do the same, hopefully others will see this and be motivated to help others,” the beauty entrepreneur wrote on her Facebook page.
The royal visitor
HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum surprised residents at a senior citizen care centre last week with a visit. The son of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, dropped into the Family Forum Centre for iftar, and performed the Maghrib prayer with residents. The above photo brings us so much joy…
These orphans’ day out
In celebration of Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, as well as the spirit of Ramadan, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) helped clothe 100 orphans from the Emirates. Thirty of the authority’s female staff volunteered to take the kids, all from low-income families, on a shopping trip. The RTA also gave Ramadan supplies coupons to 500 families in the spirit of helping the less fortunate during the Holy Month.
These mini-me volunteers
As part of Dubai Customs’ Al Furdah Hands Campaign, volunteers are distributing a total of 1,000 iftar snacks to motorists on Saturday evenings during Ramadan – and bringing their kids along to help. This will “help instill the culture of giving amongst them and teach them the value of volunteerism and charitable moves,” according to a statement (and those oversized high-vis vests give us all the feels).
The snacks in action…
The kindness of Dubai ❤❤ Ramadan Kareem! Check this out 😁 pic.twitter.com/DvnnzLkpXo
— Aylissa – Dubai 92 (@aylissab) May 30, 2017
This box was given to a taxi driver by volunteers waiting on the roadside.
The RTA also got involved
Volunteers from the agency gave out food packages to reduce the [number of] drivers speeding to reach home for iftar”. Those smiles from the motorists are definitely warming the cockles of our hearts.
Read:
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Packing goodie bags for female labourers
Fit Republik’s Labor of Love initiative aims to provide a little extra TLC for women living in labour camps, by giving them goodie bags packed with essential toiletries like shampoo, toothbrushes and cotton buds. You can either drop off items from a designated list at the gym’s collection box, or buy a ready-made package for Dhs80. Click here for more information.
The cutest little fridge-fillers
Youngsters from JLT Nursery made sure one of Dubai’s many Ramadan Sharing Fridges was well stocked this week. Want to take part? Click here for more details…
A food drive to feed 1,500
Dubai’s Latin-American restaurant Coya is preparing specially-made iftar boxes for those in labour camps across the emirate over Ramadan. They’ve fed 600 people so far with three deliveries, and plan to feed 1,500 mouths in total by the end of the Holy Month. Want to volunteer? Get in touch here.
Packages for the underprivileged
The University of Manchester Middle East got in the Year of Giving spirit by putting together care boxes as part of du’s Kindness Lives On campaign. The aim is to help feed thousands of families in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Read:
Let Queen Rania Inspire Your Ramadan Wardrobe With These 10 Standout Looks…
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Du’s CEO also got stuck in…
Along with Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, who also helped pack essential food boxes.
Feeding the ‘unsung heroes’
This Dubai-based catering company handed out packed lunches to labourers as “a small gesture of our appreciation”.
A solo effort
You can give back with a charity initiative, or you can create your own as UAE DJ RJ Ved proves.
And one bonus extra…
This might not be in the UAE, but it’s most definitely an achievement worth celebrating. HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who donated Dhs145 million to Tkiyet Um Ali earlier this year, revealed that the non-profit she founded in 2003 is making headway on its pledge to feed 30,000 families. Not only has the Jordanian charity provided a daily iftar for 2,500 locals, but it’s also fed 25,000 families in just two months.
“I am proud of you but there is still no rest until we reach our goal,” said the royal. “There can be no real congratulations while there are still those who are suffering.”
