Year of Giving: Think beyond donations

Dubai - Mohammed defines giving, says it's about making a difference in society

The definition of the word 'giving' is not restricted to just donations or charity, but making a difference -, in an individual's life, society or the progress of a country, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said.
 In a letter addressed to the people of the UAE, Shaikh Mohammed detailed what the country wants to achieve from 2017 being declared as the Year of Giving.
"The real giving that the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan left for us was the difference he made in the march of our country towards progress. Shaikh Zayed left us morals; gave us men and women of giving; and left no stone unturned in making a difference in people's lives. This is the giving we want," Shaikh Mohammed wrote.
 Every individual must ask one question: How can we make a difference, he stressed.
 "Giving is easy - to feed birds is giving; to smile is giving; to perform more than you are asked is giving; being an official and making people happy is giving. Each person has a potential to make a real difference among those around him.
 "I know some businessmen who built residential compounds for their Emirati brethren or helped in marriages of youth. Kudos to them! Our country will also never forget the expatriate businessmen here."

• UAE