Dubai Cares: Donations pour in

DUBAI - The ‘Dubai Cares’ initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has attracted Dh130 million in just two days of its launch on September 19.

This was announced on Friday at the official launch of the Retail Sector Participation Campaign for the ‘Dubai Cares’ initiative attended by Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and retailers from the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), gold souqs and Dubai International Airport.

Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed, who is championing the cause in the regional sector, urged the participation of the retail sector, especially trade bodies like the DSMG and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG), and hoped that the initiative would have a positive impact on the future of one million children who lack basic education.

The DSMG has more than 35 members and the DGJG 700 members. “Our contribution to this noble cause needs to match Dubai’s reputation and its status as a leading hub in all sectors, including commerce, finance, tourism and leisure,” Shaikh Rashid said. “The UAE nationals and expatriates must accept the ‘Dubai Cares’ campaign as their own and contribute generously. We need to extend this campaign beyond geographic and ethnic barriers to fulfil Shaikh Mohammed’s pledge,” he emphasised.

Shaikh Rashid also unveiled the special donation boxes that will be kept at key locations in shopping malls throughout the emirate, as well as at the Dubai International Airport and Dubai Duty Free. He said that players from the five football clubs in Dubai will sport the ‘Dubai Cares’ campaign logo on their shirts during the current championship season.