We have a big heart: Shaikh Mohammed

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that the UAE community has been founded on love of goodness and charity.

Emphasising the importance of creativity in philanthropy, Shaikh Mohammed complimented the efforts of 100 Emirati youth for their philanthropic voluntary activities carried through social media during the Mohammed bin Rashid Policy Majlis. He said Emirati youth are not affluent class isolated from the society, but their hearts are filled with goodness and compassion.

Shaikh Mohammed interacts with Emirati youth at the Mohammed bin Rashid Policy Majlis in Dubai on Wednesday. — Wam

Shaikh Mohammed underlined that “the UAE has a soft international power that makes us proud among the nations”, citing the humanitarian, charitable and volunteer initiatives that do not distinguish between race or colour or religion, but for persons in need wherever they are. Tens of millions worldwide have so far benefited from the voluntary and humanitarian initiatives of the UAE”.

He said that the UAE is not only an international financial centre or a global economic hub, but it is also a major humanitarian hub on the world stage.

“I have been joyfully following up all the individual and group voluntary initiatives. I’m pleased with innovated youth ideas in the field of volunteering, humanitarian and societal work. Seeds of goodness are there in all individuals of community, but we need more fresh ideas to activate these seeds,” Shaikh Mohammed added.

“Let us begin with an initiative call ‘Voluntary Week’ to launch new ideas in different voluntary fields,” he added.

Shaikh Mohammed said volunteering is a great Islamic value, which had played greater roles in history. “It is not confined on the needy only, but we want the voluntary work to cover wider categories”.

Shaikh Mohammed, who was briefed about the voluntary initiatives carried out by the youth, urged them to continue the voluntary work and tackle any difficulties positively with self denial.