GAC completes Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai

GAC, known for its high-performance vehicles, has hosted a charity initiative in Dubai during Ramadhan. The company distributed 300 food boxes to local labour groups, reflecting the brand's commitment to giving back to society and strengthening bonds with the region's consumers. 

Two GAC M8 and two GAC GS8 vehicles provided transportation to key locations. GAC representatives distributed 30 food boxes to mosque workers at a local mosque, while 270 food boxes were given to labourers at a dormitory. 

 

Source: GAC. GAC strengthens community bonds with Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai. Wang Shunsheng, VP, GAC International, joined volunteers at the dealership to pack food boxes, reinforcing the company's hands-on approach to community integration. 

Canopy Power brings clean water to village on Sugi Island, Indonesia

Under its Canopy Care programme, Canopy Power completed a social welfare project at the village of Tanjung Sesup on Sugi Island, Indonesia in Q320.

Having funded and developed a water distribution system for the village, Canopy Power improved the lives of the villagers by enabling a convenient access to and a constant supply of clean water. Looking forward, the company is keen to embark on more of such projects that benefits communities, and welcomes partnership opportunities.

“In general, 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. However, we are experiencing surge in awareness within individuals and corporations towards sustainability. This is a good sign for the next year and the years to come,” said Sujay Malve, founder and CEO of Canopy Power.

Canopy Power provides independent microgrids based on renewable energy.

Sharjah Islamic Bank is recognised for voluntary work

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has won the 17th Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, the Emirati news agency WAM has reported. This is SIB's 4th time winning the award, which recognises organisations supporting volunteer work.

The bank was also praised for encouraging Emirati youth to volunteer.

Mohamed Abdalla, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank stressed that public and private entities should support society however they can. He said, "As part of the bank’s social responsibility, SIB is always looking to actively support voluntary initiatives, activities and institutions, to better align with the vision and directives of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah."

"There is nothing more satisfying than extending support to those in need. Hence if you have the ability and resources to be of some help to the community, use the opportunity to the fullest," he advised.

Andorra Women & Children Hospital focuses on making a lasting impact on society during Ramadhan

Source: Andorra Women & Children Hospital. Volunteers from Andorra pose with children from the Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah orphanage.

The management team and staff of the Andorra Women & Children Hospital visited the Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah orphanage in Puchong, Malaysia as part of the hospital’s social engagement programme in early June, during Ramadhan.

Andorra believes in going beyond the provision of tangible items like food, clothing and money during festive seasons, and focuses on imparting useful knowledge to beneficiaries for more impact and sustainability throughout the year. 

At the the Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah orphanage, Andorra nurses and physiotherapists taught the children steps they can take daily to maintain their wellbeing, including body and dental hygiene, simple exercises, how to choose a healthier diet. 

“Ramadhan has always been about giving. It is the month to think of and offer help to those who are less fortunate. However, our corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not just a one-time activity. Andorra is there to serve the community, and women and children’s healthcare is our forte.

"Healthcare is a noble profession. We want to bring back the glory of Rufaidah Saad and Mother Teresa, two of the world’s most famous healthcare persons. Their commitment and dedication to community, especially to the lesser fortunate have no bounds. In that perspective, we are committed in giving back to society in terms of imparting our healthcare knowledge to these children.

"Children are smart, and knowledge is power. Basic knowledge like what to do if they have fever, or menstrual pain for the girls, or muscle strain after doing house chores, to name a few. Even if they don’t have parents to turn to, the least they could do is looking after themselves without relying much to others. With this small contribution, to take into accounts the ‘pay it forward’ perspective, we hope these orphans and children from less fortunate families, one day, aspire to be doctors, or nurses, or any healthcare related providers” said Dr Khamsiah Muda, Founder & Chairman, Andorra Women & Children Hospital.

Andorra provides care based on shari'ah-compliant principles. 

*Rufaidah Saad who lived around the year 620, the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and is recognised as the first female Muslim nurse and the mother of nursing in Islam.

Bank Sohar celebrates Qaranqasho

As part of its annual Qaranqasho celebrations, Bank Sohar organised three different programmes: a Qaranqasho gathering for customers and the general public at Bank Sohar’s branch in the Avenues Mall; another event for employees and their families at the Jungles Restaurant; and finally a bank-sponsored event for the Oman Association for the Disabled.

Ahmed Al Musalmi, CEO, Bank Sohar, said, “Qaranqasho is a very special event for families across the region, and as a community-focused organisation, we consider it our duty to preserve and nurture Oman’s heritage for future generations. With many customers and employees in attendance with their families, Qaranqasho formed a splendid opportunity to enhance the bank’s engagement and sociability with local communities, staff and good will associations.”

The bank’s branch in the Avenues Mall featured family activities at photo booths and performances, including traditional songs by children, while the gathering at the Oman Association for the Disabled saw children take to the stage dressed in colourful costumes, singing and dancing.

Qaranqasho is a way to reward children for fasting through the first half of Ramadhan. Traditionally observed on the 14th night of Ramadhan, children across the Gulf celebrate Qaranqasho (Garangao in Qatar) by visiting neighbours in their community singing songs in traditional outfits. Going door-to-door throughout nearby neighbourhoods youngsters collect sweets and halwa, echoing an age-old tradition that used to include makeshift musical instruments. In the past, children would carry seashells instead and beat them together whilst singing “Qaranqasho”.
Details:

View pictures of the event on Facebook

Hashtags: #BankSohar, #Ramadan, #Qaranqasho, #RamadanNights

Etihad marks Zayed Humanitarian Day

The Etihad Aviation Group has launched an array of community and humanitarian initiatives to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which falls on 19 Ramadhan (4 June).

The programme, which includes food donations, community activities and charity campaigns, demonstrates Etihad’s commitment to local and global humanitarian activities, reflecting a spirit of sharing during Ramadhan and the Year of Zayed.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the UAE national airline has carried out a number of projects and initiatives including treating 10 elderly people from the Old People’s Home in Sharjah to a flight simulator experience, iftar and Eid gifts in a family setting together with some of the airline’s pilots.

In line with its ongoing commitment to support underprivileged children, Etihad has teamed up with the Emirates Red Crescent to distribute Eid gifts to 600 orphans in Kerala, India. It has also donated school bags, stationery items and clothes to an orphanage of 240 children in Vietnam.

In Sri Lanka, 136 children from orphanages and children’s homes enjoyed a Movie Night on board an Etihad Airways’ aircraft, and enjoyed activities and meals.

Khaled AlMehairbi, Senior VP and GM, Etihad Airport Services Ground – Abu Dhabi Hub and CSR Strategy, said, “We are excited to announce this large-scale programme, boosting our charitable and community footprint locally and globally. The Zayed Humanitarian Day is very special this year as we celebrate the Year of Zayed in 2018. We are inspired by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to give back and bring smiles to those who are less fortunate.

“With a strong global presence and extensive network, Etihad Airways is ideally positioned to reach out to vulnerable communities in different parts of the world and to make a lasting and positive impact through initiatives that span education, food donations, orphan support and relief aid.”

The company also announced an initiative for guest miles donations which will be channelled to sponsor iftar meals for Rohingya children and families, and the promotion of child education across the world.

Etihad Aviation Group has partnered with Emirates Red Crescent over several community projects to mark the Zayed Humanitarian Day: 

- Donating dry food parcels to more than 1,300 families in India

- Donating dry food parcels to 1,000 families in Sri Lanka

- Supporting 1,000 Syrian refugees at Ritsona camp in Greece with brand new clothing and Eid gifts

- Distributing dates to 73 outstations for charity

- Distributing iftar boxes to the workforce during the month of Ramadhan, with an expected 8,000 meals to be donated to housekeeping, security and maintenance workers based at Etihad offices.

- Distributing wheelchairs to the Specialist Center for Children with Disabilities in Sharjah, which provides regular care and treatment for children up to 18 years old.

In late May, Etihad Cargo, the cargo division of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched its first humanitarian freighter missions as part of the group’s Year of Zayed programme.

The specially branded Year of Zayed Boeing 777 freighter aircraft departed Abu Dhabi – first to Almaty in Kazakhstan and then to Hyderabad in India – carrying provisions to be distributed to those in need during Ramadhan.

The humanitarian missions are taking place throughout the year in collaboration with the Khalifa Foundation, the Red Crescent, and His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation. These missions represent the Year of Zayed theme of respect, one of the four key themes of Etihad’s Year of Zayed activation plan.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ CEO said: “We are pleased to have commenced our first Year of Zayed humanitarian operations with our cargo aircraft which is crossing the globe to deliver vital items to help people most in need.

“The humanitarian missions embody the spirit and values of the UAE’s founding father, HH Sheikh Zayed, and we are proud to play a small role in carrying forward his legacy and supporting people in need from around the globe.”

Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, GM, The Founder's Office, said: “The Founder’s Office is proud to support Etihad Airways’ humanitarian efforts, which will bring relief to thousands during the holy month of Ramadhan.

“The late Sheikh Zayed initiated countless philanthropic and charitable endeavours throughout his lifetime. His spirit of altruism and generosity transcended borders, and laid the foundations for the UAE’s ongoing role as a leading provider of international aid.

“This worthy initiative upholds his legacy, reflecting one of the central themes of our Year of Zayed campaign which is to reinforce the spirit of solidarity amongst community members through selfless giving, and globally extending a helping hand to all those in need.”

Last month, Etihad also launched a community drive to donate 150,000 inflight meals to charity in 2018, and for every year in the future.

Etihad Aviation Group pledges 400 meals a day to charity

The Etihad Aviation Group has launched a community programme that will deliver 400 meals per day to charity. The initiative will be held throughout 2018 and beyond, with approximately 150,000 meals to be donated every year.

As part of its sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has teamed up with the Grace Conservation Programme of Emirates Red Crescent and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority to donate inflight meals to labourer residences in the Mussaffah area of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In line with the sustainability pillar of the 2018 Year of Zayed, the initiative was announced in early Ramadhan to promote a spirit of sharing during the month. The meals are initially prepared for the airline’s three on board cabins – First Class, Business Class and Economy Class – and are then transported in a purpose-designed truck to keep them fresh. Emirates Red Crescent will provide an equipped kitchen and trucks to collect and store meals for distribution.

Khaled AlMehairbi, Senior VP and GM, Etihad Airport Services Ground – Abu Dhabi Hub and CSR Strategy, said: “We are strongly committed to the local community and proudly support various charities worldwide. Etihad is always looking at new ways to extend the reach of our charitable and humanitarian efforts.

“This drive is guided by the values and legacy of our late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He inspires and motivates us to share and give back to the communities we are living and operating in.”

Sultan Al Shehi, GM, Grace Conservation Programme of Emirates Red Crescent, said: “We are excited to launch this initiative in collaboration with Etihad Aviation Group and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. This partnership reflects Abu Dhabi’s spirit of sharing and giving. We have worked together with Etihad Aviation Group to support many charitable and humanitarian activities. However, this partnership is especially important for its size and scale.”

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority hailed the drive as encouraging the efforts of UAE charity and humanitarian actors in supporting the local community. The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, as part of its robust relationship with the Grace Conservation Programme of Emirates Red Crescent, ensures the quality and safety of the meals. It promotes awareness of the Emirates Red Crescent staff on healthy food packaging, transportation and storage. The authority will oversee the delivery of the meals from Etihad Aviation Group to the Grace Conservation Programme, monitoring all the related steps of collection and distribution.

Careem will deliver donated food to the needy in UAE Ramadan Together project

Source: Careem Facebook. Careem will deliver donated

Careem has partnered with the UAE Food Bank and Dubai Municipality بلديــة دبــي to deliver donated food to those in need, for free.

Careem users need only select the new delivery car type, ‘Food Bank’, specify the nearest Ramadan Together location closest to them,
and a Delivery Captain will show up at their doorstep to collect the food. The donation is then delivered to the nearest Food Bank fridge.

Details:

The free service is available 2-6 pm, Thursday - Saturday throughout the month of Ramadhan, in Dubai.

Read the food guidelines

Low-paid employees in Pakistan may be eligible to go for Hajj 2018

The Pakistani government has invited corporate sector entities and public organisations to provide lists of low-paid employees who may be eligible to attend Hajj 2018 as part of the government's corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony will shortlist applicants on a case by case basis.

Details:

Nominations must be made on forms available online and submitted by 30 March 2018.

Emaar's community residents give back to service providers with iftar

Source: Emaar. Emaar's community residents thank service providers with iftar.

Emaar’s community residents marked the spirit of sharing and caring during Ramadhan together with Emaar Community Management, jointly hosting an iftar for the service providers of Emaar’s integrated neighbourhoods.

Residents of The Springs, The Meadows, Emirates Hills, The Lakes and Hattan hosted the iftar, which is part of the #BuildingCommunities campaign by Emaar Properties with the goal of encouraging people to undertake random acts of kindness and make a positive difference during Ramadhan.

Emaar distributed #BuildingCommunities boxes as part of the campaign to complement the Year of Giving announced by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for supporting less privileged communities through charitable initiatives.

Each box contained gift vouchers valued at AED100, and instructions on the charitable deed to be done, which could be anything from buying a stranger a present using the voucher or gifting it to a person in need. The vouchers are accepted at The Dubai Mall, Address Hotels + Resorts, Reel Cinemas as well as all other Emaar businesses.

Emaar is also highlighting the stories of people who have made a positive change through their charity initiatives. Through inspiring videos of their work, Emaar aims to engage people to positively impact the community for Ramadhan and beyond. The public can take part in this innovative social experiment by sharing their stories of kindness on Emaar’s social media channels under the #BuildingCommunities hashtag. Emaar will donate a cash prize of AED20,000 to the winner’s charity of choice.

Interested?

View related videos:

Grab a voucher and share a smile,
Be sure to open our #BuildingCommunities boxes this Ramadan for surprising messages! pic.twitter.com/mv1zwmr21T

— Emaar Dubai (@emaardubai) June 5, 2017

Watch Ahmed, Irfaz & Anushree#BuildingCommunities & bringing smiles to patients!
It's now your turn to tell us your story. #EmaarDubai pic.twitter.com/3nwipKn2cz

— Emaar Dubai (@emaardubai) June 18, 2017

Hashtags: #BuildingCommunities, #EmaarDubai

Gulf Air distributes iftar meals in Manama over Ramadhan

Source: Gulf Air. Gulf Air's workforce is distributing iftar meals in Manama.

Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has begun its annual Ramadhan iftar meal box distribution. Airline staff are helping ensure the safety of drivers on the road and facilitating the breaking of drivers' fasts by distributing iftar meal boxes at major traffic junctions in Manama, Bahrain prior to the maghrib prayer time.

The Ramadhan initiative, in its fourth year, is in line with Gulf Air’s commitment to delivering on a variety of corporate social responsibility initiatives throughout the year.

posted from Bloggeroid

Gift a MILO breakfast to the needy

Source: MILO website. Poster for
MILO's Ramadhan campaign.

MILO Singapore is donating a breakfast basket to a needy family for every S$30 purchase of MILO beverage products made at a major supermarket.

MILO Singapore aims to raise 3,200 breakfast baskets for needy families under the Tabung Amal Aidilfitri Trust Fund (TAA Trust Fund). Aidilfitri is the local name for Eid al Fitr.

Chow Phee Chat, Director, Marketing Communications and Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Singapore shared: “Ramadhan is a sacred month marked by fasting and giving back to the society through charity work. That gave us the idea of partnering Tabung Amal Aidilfitri Trust Fund and roping in the community to help raise breakfast baskets for the less fortunate in the community. Through this campaign, we also want to remind and reinforce to our Muslim friends the importance of a wholesome and nutritious breakfast so they have enough energy to sustain them throughout the day’s fast.”

Muhd Harmizan, Head of Exco of Tabung Amal Aidilfitri Trust Fund said, "Over the past 25 years, Tabung Amal Aidilfitri Trust Fund has actively raised funds to help the less fortunate during the Ramadhan period. The generous support and contributions from individuals and corporate partners like Nestlé Singapore is pivotal to making this year’s fund-raising a success. We welcome this new partnership with Nestlé and hope to provide all our beneficiaries with a meaningful and wonderful Aidilfitri.”

Source: MILO. From left: Ilhan Fandi, Wendy Jacobs, Iryan Fandi, Fandi Ahmad.

MILO recommends that food taken for suhoor should be wholesome, and can include oats, multigrain bread and MILO. Two servings of MILO Nutri G, formulated with wholegrains, oats and barley and wheat gives the fibre equivalent to a bowl of rolled oats. 

Ten of the contributors will be selected to join football superstar Fandi Ahmad and his family when they break their fast in June. Each of the 10 can bring along three family members to this event.

Interested?

Register the purchase by MMS or via a contest form

To qualify, at least one MILO powder and one MILO ready-to-drink product must be purchased, with entries sent in by June 11. Read the terms and conditions (PDF)

View other promotions from MILO

Emaar encourages the public to make a positive difference in others' lives

Source: Emaar. #BuildingCommunities begins with acts of kindness. 

Emaar Properties is marking Ramadhan with #BuildingCommunities, a campaign that celebrates the happiness of giving and seeks to inspire positive change by touching the lives of others with acts of kindness.

#BuildingCommunities complements the Year of Giving announced by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a focus on supporting less privileged communities through charitable initiatives. It further reflects the spirit of giving that marks Ramadhan, encouraging people to undertake random acts of kindness and to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

As part of the campaign, Emaar will place over 1,000 #BuildingCommunities boxes across its assets, each with gift vouchers valued at AED100. The boxes will have instructions on the charitable deed to be done, which could be anything from buying a stranger a present using the voucher or gifting it to a person in need. The voucher can be used at The Dubai Mall, Address Hotels and restaurants, Reel Cinemas as well as all other Emaar businesses.

To further foster community spirit, #BuildingCommunities kindness boxes will also be placed in Emaar’s neighbourhoods, where residents can use the vouchers to bond with neighbours or touch a person’s life through random acts of kindness.

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, MD, Emaar Properties, said that “#BuildingCommunities reflects the spirit of giving that marks the Holy Month of Ramadhan, and promotes camaraderie and togetherness among people. It encourages them to do a random act of kindness, which brings cheer to others and makes a positive difference to their lives. "

Emaar will also highlight the stories of people who have made a positive change through their charity initiatives. Through inspiring videos of their work, Emaar aims to engage people to positively impact the community this Holy Month and beyond. To be featured is the work of Ahmed Haweel, Ifraz Ahsan and Anushree Unakal, three students who decided to ‘give’ their time by visiting patients at Mediclinic Dubai Mall to spread positivity and make the patients as happy as possible.

Dr Shambavi Rajagopal, founder of Save Scrap N’ Sew, is also honoured through Emaar’s video. The non-profit organisation takes scraps of unused materials from tailors and stitches them into useful items that are given away. It builds on her passion to lend a personal touch to a charitable deed.

People are urged to share their stories of kindness, which could range from leaving a friendly note at someone’s desk to donating time to a local charity or even helping a stranger in need. These stories will be shared on Emaar’s social media channels under the #BuildingCommunities campaign and Emaar will donate a cash prize of AED20,000 directly to the winner’s charity of choice.

Hashtag: #BuildingCommunities

posted from Bloggeroid

Etihad Guest launches Ramadhan campaign with Emirates Red Crescent

To celebrate the Year of Giving, Etihad Guest has launched a Ramadhan campaign with Emirates Red Crescent to provide meals to families in need in Somalia. The partnership is part of Etihad Airways’ contribution to the UAE’s Year of Giving programme.

Members of Etihad Airways’ loyalty programme can donate their miles to the emergency response in the African country, with 750 Etihad Guest Miles providing one meal. The aim of the campaign is to achieve 15 million miles' worth of donations, equivalent to 20,000 meals.

Yasser Al Yousuf, MD, Etihad Guest, said: “We are asking our members to make an easy but crucial statement this month by letting their miles make a difference to thousands of children and families in need in Somalia.

“The message is simple: the more donations we receive, the more people Emirates Red Crescent is able to feed. We have an ambitious goal of providing 20,000 meals and we hope that Etihad Guest members will join with us in supporting this important cause.”

Commending Etihad Airways’ humanitarian and development initiatives, HE Mohammed Yousef Al Fahim, Deputy Secretary-General for Support Services at Emirates Red Crescent, said: “The airline has been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility as it continues to play a vital role in supporting our national economy. The Emirates Red Crescent is proud of the partnership with Etihad Airways, which is a step forward to strengthening joint efforts to provide more care to people supported by Emirates Red Crescent in the UAE and abroad. We are confident that Etihad Guest initiative will take this partnership to new heights.”

Earlier in the year, Etihad Airways announced that it will donate AED1 from every flight ticket sold in the UAE during 2017 to Emirates Red Crescent’s local and international humanitarian projects.

The UAE national airline also painted one of its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft with the Year of Giving emblem to promote the campaign in its destinations around the world.

Interested?

Etihad Guest members can donate any amount they wish. Three thousand Etihad Guest Miles will feed a family of four and 37,500 Etihad Guest Miles will feed a community of 50. Donate

posted from Bloggeroid

Alizz Islamic Bank launches Alizz Iftar Sa'yim during Ramadhan

Source: Alizz Islamic Bank. Alizz Islamic Bank launches its 4th round of Alizz Iftar Sa'yim in the spirit of giving during Ramadhan. This year the bank distributed 400 boxes to under-privileged families across the country as part of its Alizz Iftar Say'im campaign.

Alizz Islamic Bank organises special campaigns during Ramadhan to give back to the community and encourage volunteerism and philanthropy in keeping with the charitable spirit of the month. In line with the spirit of giving during Ramadhan, Alizz Islamic Bank (AIB) has launched the Alizz Iftar Sa'yim initiative for the fourth year running.

The primary goal of the Ramadhan initiative is to support low-income families in preparing for Ramadhan with essential foods including rice, wheat, lentils, sugar, milk, and oil. A secondary goal is to encourage employee volunteerism, the bank said, which offers a tangible way for businesses to become more personally invested in undertaking social issues, strengthen employee skills and morale, and cultivate a more positive and productive business environment.

Implementing the Islamic principles and values of charity and volunteer work during the month, Alizz Islamic Bank distributed 400 food packages for low-income families throughout major cities in Oman. A large number of Alizz Islamic Bank staff volunteered to participate in the distribution. Over a week employees travelled from the head office in the central business district (CBD) area to assist other employee volunteers in key locations including Wattayah, Muttrah, Al Amerat, A'Seeb, Nizwa, Sohar, Barka and Salalah.

Moosa Al Jadidi, COO, Alizz Islamic Bank, said "Our Iftar Say'im initiative aims at promoting the spirit of solidarity and cooperation within the bank, employees and the larger community by providing necessity to low income families during the holy month of Ramadhan.

"This initiative also plays a significant role to further encourage the concept of volunteerism within the bank's work environment."

Emirates Islamic donates to Tarahum Charity Foundation

Source: Emirates Islamic. From left: Awatif Al Harmoodi, GM, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic, and Amin Al Khaja, Board Member and GM, Tarahum Foundation.

Emirates Islamic, an Islamic financial institution in the UAE, has contributed AED9 million to the Tarahum Charity Foundation.

The bank has been a regular contributor to charitable humanitarian causes and has contributed over AED50 million in 2016 through its Emirates Islamic Charity Fund. With its contribution to the Tarahum Foundation, they hopes to reach out to the wider community and provide support on an individual basis.

Awatif Al Harmoodi, GM, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic said, “Tarahum Foundation helps Emirates Islamic to reach out to individuals who have specific needs, and we are very pleased to lend our support to them. As a bank that is committed to serving the community in which it operates, we hope to support the disadvantaged people of the UAE through our contributions.”

Amin Al Khaja, Board Member and GM for the Tarahum Foundation, said: "We thank Emirates Islamic for its continued support and cooperation with the Tarahum Charity Foundation. The bank’s invaluable service in providing the much-needed financial support has contributed significantly to the humanitarian activities of the foundation. "

The Emirates Islamic Charity Fund provides financial aid under several initiatives, including food, shelter, health, education and social welfare. The fund was set up with the primary objective of allocation of financial aid to large charities, public and private institutions, as well as individuals in need.

Gulf International Bank supports Bahrain Down Syndrome Society

GIB, the Gulf’s international bank, has supported the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society (BDSS) on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21. 

A full-day public awareness event at Seef Mall in Seef, Bahrain was attended by children from the BDSS Care Centre, their families, the centre director Dr Mohammed Almannai along with some of the BDSS Board members and the centre’s staff, as well as GIB’s employees. The event included distribution of awareness leaflets to the public, interactive games and an information session.

GIB CEO Abdulaziz Al-Helaissi said: “We are honoured to support the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. The society does wonderful work in assisting children with Down syndrome and their families. Their effort in promoting public awareness of the condition in the local community is commendable.”

This activity is in line with the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme, WAGIB, which is committed to supporting local communities in which it operates with a range of sustainable development programmes and local initiatives. WAGIB emphasises themes with long-term positive results in the fields of youth and career development, women’s empowerment, health awareness and economic development.

GIB is owned by the governments of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund being the primary shareholder.

Emirates Islamic invites customers to donate books to children worldwide

Emirates Islamic has partnered with Qindeel Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), to promote literacy inclusion worldwide.

The partnership follows the announcement of March as the month dedicated to reading in the UAE, as marked by HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In support of Qindeel’s initiative to donate books worldwide and encourage reading, Emirates Islamic has placed kiosks in the bank’s branches, for customers and staff to donate used or new books. Qindeel will then distribute the donated books to local and global educational institutions in need of reading resources.

Saif Al Mansoori, GM, MBRF Holding, said: “Encouraging reading for children, not just in the UAE, but across the region, has been a passionate cause of Qindeel under the vision of our leader, His HH Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We thank Emirates Islamic for its efforts in supporting this noble cause and serving as a stellar example of the private sector’s social responsibility in the Year of Giving. We hope to give young children all over the world a chance to read meaningful and inspiring books that will facilitate their intellectual and emotional growth.”

Awatif Al Harmoodi, GM, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic said: “Emirates Islamic is proud to participate in a sustainable and worthy campaign that empowers literacy inclusion among the disenfranchised both in the local community as well as internationally. A small gesture from the bank can have a tremendous impact on the children who will receive these books, as they will help shape their young minds with knowledge and moral values. We are happy to have our customers as well as our employees participating in this drive, and believe that grassroots efforts such as these have the longest lasting impact on society.”

Interested?

Locate a branch

Worldreader to expand Read to Kids Program to serve Syrian and host communities in Jordan

Worldreader, a global non-profit that believes everyone can be a reader, plans to expand its Read to Kids Program to serve Syrian refugee and host communities in Jordan. The programme supports parents and caregivers to become their children's first teachers, enabling and encouraging them to read to their young children using their mobile phones.

The Read to Kids mobile reading programme in India cultivated more than 60,000 readers over nine months through support from Pearson. Worldreader is now committing to expanding into Jordan to help Syrian and Jordanian children become lifelong readers. The organisation will work with Arabic publishers and partners to digitise and disseminate high-quality Arabic children's reading books to 50,000 households across the country. The programme will also work with educators and publishers to curate a psychosocial collection of books and activities that encourages stories and reading as a safe way to explore emotions and generate healing.

"Encouraging parents to get engaged in their children's learning through reading books has been outlined as a key priority of Jordan in 2016. The research is clear on the importance of reading for brain development and long-term success in children's lives. We are pleased to work with Worldreader be able to offer this innovative programme to the people of Jordan as well as the Syrian nationals who have sought refuge within our country," said HE Dr Omar Razzaz, Jordan's Minister of Education.

Parents and caregivers will be able to access this programme from an Internet browser on their mobile phone or by downloading the Read to Kids app from the Google Play Store. The books are curated to match children's interests and developmental readiness from birth through age 12.

Worldreader plans to launch Read to Kids Jordan in late 2017. The programme will be made possible through a US$1 million grant from private philanthropic organisation Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), with additional support from Jordanian social and education entities. The organisation is seeking additional funding and support from organisations wishing to help promote reading and education to refugees in Jordan.

"Worldreader is an exemplary organisation providing critical literary resources to enhance children's learning and educational development," said Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of the SNF. "SNF is proud to partner with Worldreader on Read to Kids Jordan, a critical initiative that aims to support early literacy programmes for 50,000 Syrian and Jordanian children, and as a foundation to continue to respond to the devastating crisis and its impact on refugee and host-community children."

"At a time when world leaders are closing their doors to refugees, conflict-affected families need every tool to ensure bright futures for their children," said David Risher, CEO and Co-founder of Worldreader. "We have seen firsthand the impact that digital reading has on children and families in India and we are proud to bring this same opportunity to all children in Jordan—including those who have been affected by the worst humanitarian crisis of our time—through the Read to Kids programme. Every child should be able to benefit from the magic of reading."

INCEIF signs MoU with IFR on Islamic social finance

The International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to leverage Islamic social finance opportunities and develop strategies and fundraising tools in support of Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian aid programmes.

The MoU was signed at INCEIF’s Kuala Lumpur campus by INCEIF President and CEO Daud Vicary Abdullah, and IFRC’s Under Secretary General for Partnerships, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood.

The partnership aims to explore and expand ways through which Islamic social finance can be used as a tool to raise operational finances for national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to respond to disasters and other crises, reduce vulnerabilities, support healthy and safe living and foster a culture of peace in at-risk communities.

As part of the agreement, INCEIF will undertake research in innovative financial instruments that could assist Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian and development initiatives, including the design and development of sukuk social impact bonds, waqf and zakat endowment funds and other mechanisms that make use of obligatory and voluntary faith-based donations. Pilot projects will launch soon in selected countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including Malaysia.

INCEIF will also provide guidance on ways to tap Islamic social finance, connect its alumni network in 80 countries with national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and advocate for the direct funding of programmes that alleviate suffering, build resilience and promote human dignity. In addition, the MoU includes the development of an IFRC internship programme for INCEIF students.

Dr Jemilah says Islamic social financing has the potential to help address significant financial challenges in meeting the needs of millions of people caught in crises and poverty.

“We are keen to explore innovative ways the Islamic finance sector can work with Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and demonstrate solidarity and principled action to save lives and promote dignity,” Dr Jemilah stated. “We will be eager to see Islamic social finance contribute to strengthening communities and realising the IFRC`s commitment of leaving no one behind.”

“At INCEIF, we realise that it is a winning strategy to promote the development of Islamic finance by establishing effective collaborative partnerships around the globe,” said Daud. “INCEIF is proud to add IFRC to our list of partners, which includes the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Financial Services Board. It is an honour for INCEIF to share our expertise and knowledge in Islamic finance to better society through the duty of care, which is the true spirit of Islam.”