UAE charity group to build 370 mosques worldwide

Ras Al Khaimah - The charity's projects were not only limited to mosques, but spanned the construction of religious, educational, cultural and social centres as well.

The Al Rahmah Charity Association, based in Ras Al Khaimah, is all set to build 370 mosques all over the world this year.

The society is also to dig 800 water wells and secure 800 water pumps to provide pure drinking water to deprived villages around the globe, according to a senior official.

Abdullah Al Tunaiji, secretary general of the society, said they managed to build 434 mosques, dig 1,695 water wells and pumps, and construct five orphanages locally and abroad last year.

"All our charitable and humanitarian projects are targeting poor and low-income people wherever they are as per the teachings of Islam, and as always advised by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the country."

Salem Hassan, head of humanitarian aids with the society, said the society, the first charity in Ras Al Khaimah, has so far built 4,245 mosques around the world since its inception in 1988. "These included 434 mosques last year."

The pioneering charity projects accomplished were not only limited to mosques, but spanned the construction of religious, educational, cultural and social centres in so many places, he added.

"These included eight grand compounds, including a mosque, clinics, classrooms, and shops for selling basic needs of the deprived villages."

The Al Rahmah Charity, in a positive response to the 'Year of Giving' initiative, has decided to build 370 mosques in the UAE and around the world, Hassan explained.

"Such big projects would not have been possible without the help of the philanthropists here who generously contribute to all our projects that we always exceed the set targets."

This year, the society is geared up to build 15 centres for memorising the Holy Quran, along with five new schools in some African and Asian countries, he disclosed.

"We are also planning to dig 800 water wells, provide 800 pumps, and build six big compounds that include a mosque, two clinics, classrooms, shops, and two houses for poor people."

The Al Rahmah Charity spares no effort to attend to people's woes and ease their sufferings, Hassan underlined. "We directly and constantly follow up the execution of all these projects as per the set studies, designs and needs."

The society has also provided a well-equipped vehicle for preserving the food left from the hotels and wedding halls of the emirate. "This is in the response to the 'Food Bank' initiative."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah