Good response to SLC charity suhoor

Dubai - Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Deputy Chairperson of the Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC), inaugurated a 'Ramadan Charity Suhoor' as part of the club's 'Be-Cause Campaign' on Wednesday.

The proceeds from the two-day event will be donated to the “Big Heart Campaign” to support Syrian refugee children, which was launched by Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and SLC.

Shaikha Bodour was escorted by club director Khawla Al Serkal on a tour of the Ramadan Bazaar organized along with the Charity Suhoor. The bazaar included several works and products of small businesses, in addition to an exhibition for pre-owned handbags which come in part with the campaign the club organised in Ramadan, titled “Donate a bag and put a smile on a child’s face”.

Saikha Bodour expressed her gratitude and happiness to the huge interaction received from the Emirati society on their participation in charitable work.

“The UAE has always witnessed many humanitarian initiatives which reached various parts of the world. Today, we witness and together we share the support for the noble ‘Big Heart” campaign launched by Shaikha Jawaher, who has been declared the first Eminent Advocate for refugee children around the globe” by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an advocate to Syrian refugee children after the tragic situation and current issues in their homeland. Tonight, we are participating along with Sharjah Ladies Club through this community event for the “Big Heart” campaign to send the message to the Syrian people that we are with you and we will not leave you,” she said.

She also called on various institutions and individuals to carry their religious and humanitarian duty towards the people in Syria, through contributing and supporting the “Big Heart” campaign to bring hope to the refugee children.

Al Serkal started the Suhoor with a speech thanking Shaikha Jawaher for launching the “Big Heart” campaign, which also received a huge donation from Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, as well as other individuals and organisations.

“The SLC, being a social service organisation, is always interested in social and charitable issues and always cares about women’s and children’s issues. As it is our duty, we have launched the annual charity campaign titled “Be-Cause” aimed to raise awareness and give back to the community, and this year coinciding with the Big Heart campaign and the holy month of Ramadan, we have decided to carry the title “Ramadan for a good cause” where the proceeds will go to the Big Heart campaign,” said Al Serkal.

“Since the campaign was launched, the SLC has donated Dh100,000. We, as an SLC family, assure our march along Shaikha Jawaher’s vision, by launching charitable campaigns and events for a good cause, which enhances our commitment and adaptation to high charitable campaigns and supporting all humanitarian issues.”

An introductory video of the Big Heart campaign was played and a new set of handbags of global brands were presented for sale, 20 per cent of whose proceeds will go to the campaign.

During the event, separate donations Dh1 million and Dh50,000 were announced for the campaign.

The two-day Ramadan event, sponsored by Julfar, included a Ramadan Bazaar which included various luxurious products.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi