As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims worldwide embrace important values like compassion, generosity, and selflessness. During this time, people often give back to those in need through charitable donations. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), giving is highly valued, and many charitable organisations step forward during Ramadan to help those who are less fortunate.
In this blog, we will explore some of the charities in the UAE that you can support during Ramadan. These charities do incredible work, and by learning about them, we hope to inspire and guide you in your charitable efforts. Whether you live in the UAE or are just visiting, you can make a positive impact and help those who need it in many ways.
Let’s dig in!
Zakat: A Sacred Pillar of Purification and Sharing
Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, stands as a cornerstone of Muslim life. It goes beyond mere charity, embodying an obligatory act of worship and a powerful tool for social justice. Every Muslim who meets specific criteria must contribute a fixed amount – 2.5% of their wealth above a minimum threshold (Nisab) – annually. This fixed rate ensures fairness and eliminates ambiguity, while the annual cycle encourages consistent generosity.
Zakat isn’t just about giving; it’s about purification. By sharing a portion of your wealth, you cleanse it of any potential attachments or impurities, aligning your material possessions with your spiritual values.
The recipients of Zakat are carefully defined, ensuring the resources reach those who truly need them. The eight designated categories encompass the poor, the needy, travellers facing hardship, struggling debtors, and even those working diligently to collect and distribute Zakat itself.
Where your Zakat is ultimately donated depends on your chosen distribution method:
1. Direct Distribution: You can personally identify and distribute Zakat to individuals or families in need who fall under the eight eligible categories. This allows you to directly impact specific communities or causes you care about.
2. Zakat Collection Organizations: Many organisations specialise in collecting and distributing Zakat following Islamic principles. They employ scholars and experts to ensure proper distribution and transparency. Notable examples include:
- Zakat Fund
- Dar Al Ber Society
- Beit Al Khair
- Emirates Red Crescent
- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian Foundation
- Local Mosques or Charities
3. Designated Causes: Some organisations allow you to direct your Zakat towards specific causes like education, healthcare, water projects, or disaster relief. This option enables you to support broader initiatives aligned with your values
Sadaqah: A Wellspring of Generosity and Gratitude
Sadaqah is a type of giving that comes from your choice and generosity, unlike Zakat, which is required. It’s a voluntary act of charity that lets you show kindness in a way that feels right to you. There are no set amounts or specific times for giving Sadaqah, so you can give any amount whenever you feel moved to help others.
The great thing about Sadaqah is that it can easily be a part of your everyday life. It could be something like giving help to a neighbour who is struggling, donating to a cause you believe in on the spur of the moment, or quietly doing something kind for someone you don’t know. Sadaqah is beautiful because it doesn’t have limits – it doesn’t matter what religion, background, or situation the person you’re helping is in.
Sadaqah is more than making an immediate impact. It also helps you reflect on yourself and grow spiritually. When you give to others, you recognise the blessings you have and express gratitude to Allah (SWT). Remember, Sadaqah isn’t just about how much you give but also about the intention behind it.
1 Billion Meals Endowment Campaign
The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign is an incredible initiative that aims to make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable communities around the world during the holy month of Ramadan. It is part of the UAE’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian aid and its dedication to finding long-term solutions to improve people’s lives everywhere, without any discrimination.
This campaign builds upon the success of previous Ramadan campaigns organised by the UAE, such as “1 Billion Meals,” “100 Million Meals,” and “10 Million Meals.” These campaigns were initiated under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Now, you might be wondering how you can contribute and be a part of this incredible effort. Well, there are several ways you can donate:
- DONATE Online: You can donate online by visiting the campaign’s official website. Simply choose the donation amount that suits you, whether it’s AED 10, AED 100, AED 500, AED 1000 or any other amount that you feel comfortable with. You’ll also need to provide your email address so they can keep you updated on the campaign’s progress.
- DONATE via SMS: Another way to donate is through SMS. You can send the word “Meal” to the designated number provided for “du” and “Etisalat by e&” users, mentioning the amount you wish to donate. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Send “Meal” to 1034 to donate AED 10.
- Send “Meal” to 1035 to donate AED 50.
- Send “Meal” to 1036 to donate AED 100.
- Send “Meal” to 1038 to donate AED 500.
- DONATE via Call or Bank Transfer: You can find the necessary details on the campaign’s website if you prefer to donate through a call or bank transfer.
- For big monetary donations and related inquiries, please contact the campaign’s team via 800 9999 from 10AM until 6PM
- Make a transfer to the’1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign bank account at:
- Beneficiary: MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM GLOBAL INITIATIVES Account no. 2
- Beneficiary Bank: Emirates NBD
- Beneficiary Bank Address: Emirates Towers, Dubai, UAE
- Swift Code: EBILAEAD
- Account #: 1015333439802
- IBAN #: AE300260001015333439802
- Currency: AED
World Food Programme (WFP)
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, as millions of Muslims break their fast at sunset, it’s important to remember that some families, including children, face a never-ending struggle to find enough food. But you can make a difference by donating to the World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organisation in the world that delivers emergency food assistance.
By making a donation to WFP, you’ll be directly contributing to providing essential meals to those who are in desperate need. Here’s how you can donate:
- DONATE NOW: To make a one-time donation, you can visit the provided link. There, you’ll find the option to contribute the amount you’re comfortable with. Even a small donation can go a long way in providing nutritious food for hungry children and families.
If you’d like to make a recurring monthly donation, you can choose the option to become a WFP monthly supporter. This allows you to continue your support beyond Ramadan and help sustain the efforts of providing food to those in need.
Your generous contribution, whether it’s a one-time donation or a monthly commitment, can make a significant impact. For example, with nearly Dhs155, you can provide vital emergency meals for 82 hungry people. And with just Dhs250, you can help feed 132 people, giving them the nourishment they need to thrive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UAE is doing amazing work to help people in need during the holy month of Ramadan. Aside from Zakat and Sadaqah, two charities that are making a big impact are the 1 Billion Meals Endowment and the World Food Programme (WFP).
These charities are not only providing food to those who need it, but they’re also working on long-term solutions to end hunger and poverty. We can all get involved by supporting and donating to these charities, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
