Dubai charity allocates Dh60 million to help the needy this Ramadan

One of the mass Iftar banquests organised by the Dubai Charity Association in China.

With just a few days left for the holy month of Ramadan to begin, the Dubai Charity Association is all set to spend Dh60 million on eligible beneficiaries.
Official figures show that the association, which was founded in 1980 as Al Urwatu Al Wuthqa, spent Dh20 million on schemes that helped 5,000 needy families last Ramadan.
Ahmad Mohammed Mismaar, secretary-general of the Dubai Charity Association, said they intend to spend Dh1.7 million on 'Meer Ramadan' packages this year. "These foodstuff baskets will be given to 15,000 poor and low-income families in the UAE and abroad."
The charity will also host "several" mass Iftar meals, he added. "Free Iftar meals worth Dh1.5 million will be distributed in 50 mosques across the country - 100 every day.
"Mass Iftar meals worth Dh5 million will be hosted in 28 countries, including Ghana, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Mali, Cambodia, Uganda, Sudan, India, Senegal, Benin, Gambia, Togo, Nigeria, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry and China." 
Up to Dh10,000 per mosque has been allocated for mass Iftar meals abroad. "These will cater free Iftar meals for around 2.25 million fasting Muslims worldwide in collaboration with the UAE diplomatic missions there."
As for Zakat Al Fitr, it will be collected in cash or in kind - 3kg of dates per person or equivalent in UAE dirhams, he said.
The association spent Dh31 million on registered low-income families and orphans last year, he elaborated. "We hope that we manage to spend Dh40 million this year to cover about 8,000 vulnerable people."
Eid clothes worth Dh250,000 will be distributed among 5,000 eligible low-income families, as well as 280 orphans in the UAE and 10,000 in 20 countries listed with the association, Mismaar said. "These are apart from toys and cash gifts." 
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

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