As the holy month of Ramadan begins on Thursday, March 23, Muslims around the world will welcome a time of abundant spirituality and self-reflection. However, another integral aspect of this period is giving back to your community as sharing your blessings with others has always been a prominent part of honoring Ramadan.
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Scroll to see how you can help those in need and participate in the charitable spirit this Ramadan
One Billion Meals Endowment Campaign
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Announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to mark the beginning of Ramadan, the One Billion Meals Endowment Campaign is the largest food endowment fund and expands upon previous initiatives by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The campaign hopes to mobilize local, regional, and international organizations with the ultimate aim of eradicating world hunger through sustainable and long-term initiatives. While talking about the initiative Sheikh Mohammed stated, “As humans and as Muslims, it is our duty to be there for those in need, especially during the month of Ramadan.”
Donations can be made at 1billionmeals.ae.
Emirates Red Crescent
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As one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the UAE Emirates Red Crescent has always been at the forefront of helping those in need both locally and internationally. This Ramadan much like in previous years the organization has multiple initiatives to support people across the world with everything from iftar and suhoor meals to clothing for Eid. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, also directed the allocation of AED 20 million to implement Ramadan programs in earthquake-stricken Syria. Last year Ramadan Projects under the Emirates Red Crescent provided aid to an estimated 2.1 million people around the world and it is likely that this year will be the same if not better.
Donations can be made at Emiratesrc.ae.
Ramadan: Leave Your Mark Campaign
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Since its inception almost four decades ago, Qatar Charity has grown to become one of the largest humanitarian and development organizations in the world. In a recent press conference, the organization announced its Ramadan campaign for 2023 – Ramadan: Leave Your Mark. Qatar Charity hopes to reach almost 1.9 million people in 41 countries through this campaign and provide support under a number of different initiatives such as the ‘Feed the Fasting’ project or ‘Ramadan Supply’ which will provide low-income households, widows, and expatriate families with vouchers to get food supplies. Beneficiaries of the Leave Your Mark campaign will include internally displaced persons, refugees, those affected by disasters and crises, and others in need worldwide.
Donations can be made at Qcharity.org
Ramadan Continuous Giving with Géant
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This Ramadan, hypermarket Géant has collaborated with Emirates Red Crescent to make donations a lot more simpler and personal with the ‘Ramadan Continous Giving’ campaign. While doing your own Ramadan groceries you can now purchase recommended donation supplies and drop them off at a designated point within the Géant hypermarkets at Dubai Hills Mall, Al Khawaneej, and Al Jurf Ajman. Rest assured that your donations will reach those in need not just in the Emirates but also around the world. Cash donations as low as AED 5 are also being accepted at checkout across all Géant stores.
Donations can be made in-store only.
Distributing Iftaar Meals in Dubai
Every year during Ramadan many residents across the UAE fulfill their desire for helping those in need by distributing iftar meals on their own. While this can certainly be a fulfilling form of charity as you organize everything on your own authorities in Dubai have just announced stricter regulatory controls on such activities. The decision is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that food donations are not only safe to consume but also distributed across the Emirate in an equitable manner. Permission to distribute meals must be obtained from Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. Anyone who tries to distribute food without permission could face a fine ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 10,000. Violators might also face jail time ranging from 30 days to a year.
Permits can be obtained on Iacad.gov.ae or by calling 800 600.
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