The Holy Month of Ramadan is here. Muslims across the world from all walks of life will be uniting to fast and embrace the spiritual significance of this month. Since one of the Five Pillars of Islam is Zakat, the practice of charitable giving, it is common for Muslims around the world to donate money, food and other necessities to the less fortunate during Ramadan. In these challenging times when mankind as a whole is struggling to come to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic, helping our fellow beings has become more important than ever. In Dubai, Muslims and non-Muslims alike often reach out to those less fortunate through established charitable organisations. Here is a list of the major Ramadan charities in Dubai that you can reach out to donate food, money and time.
10 MILLION MEALS INITIATIVE BY MBRCH
Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH) is one of the biggest charities in Dubai, which announced its commitment to the ’10 Million Meals’ campaign for Ramadan 2020 in Dubai.
The project was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UAE Food Bank will lead the mega-charity project in Dubai.
The charitable organisation has made a contribution of AED 20 million to support this campaign. The MBRCH charity is one of the three establishments aiming to carry out such a large scale charity campaign for Ramadan 2020. A lot of restaurants and individuals are also part of this campaign.
HOW TO DONATE?
There are several ways to be a part of the 10 Million meals campaign in Dubai for Ramadan 2020 such as:
- Visit the ’10 Million Meals’ official website to donate online
- Send the word “Meal” to 1034 to donate one meal worth AED 8. Send it to 1035 to donate 5 meals for AED 40, 1036 to donate 10 meals for AED 80 and 1037 to donate 20 meals costing AED 160. By sending the word to 1038 you can donate 50 meals for AED 400
- For food baskets, food items donations or other services please contact 8004006 or write to info@10millionmeals.ae
GIFT A MEAL INITIATIVE
Make My Meal is the UAE’s largest online meal plan and tiffin service. It was launched in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, the Government of Dubai, UAE Food Bank and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The Gift a Meal Ramadan charity in Dubai aims to help low-income families, the unemployed and anyone who is in need of daily essentials. For Ramadan 2020, the Gift a Meal campaign will also provide meals for frontline health care professionals who are putting their life at stake to help us.
HOW TO DONATE?
Visit the official Make my Meal website and fill out the form for donation. A box of seven meals costs AED 49. You also have a choice to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
COMPANIES FOR GOOD
Companies for Good is a UAE-based charity that supports a variety of causes that corporate entities can get involved in. It combines the concept of team-building with charitable giving. Along with Iftar meal deliveries similar to other charities on this list, Companies For Good also has several other programmes that organisations can get involved in, including protecting UAE’s flora and fauna, making hats for children with cancer, helping senior citizens and more.
HOW TO DONATE?
- Visit the official ‘Companies for Good’ website in the UAE and navigate to the Work with us section
- Employers can choose the activity they want to get involved in and make the relevant contributions.
BEIT AL KHAIR SOCIETY
The Beit Al Khair Society is another leading charity in Dubai offering free Iftar meals to the underprivileged. Beit Al Khair Society plans to distribute 900,000 free iftar meals to low-income families, unemployed and labourers during Ramadan in Dubai 2020. The charity aims to distribute 30,000 Iftar meals each day to the less fortunate this year. The campaign is set to continue until the end of Eid Al Fitr.
DAR AL BER SOCIETY
Dar Al Ber Society aims to provide over 11,000 meals to the underprivileged in Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. These meals will be delivered at home, instead of the Ramadan tents the organisation usually sets up due to the current social distancing guidelines in the UAE.
This year the Ramadan fridges in Dubai will remain closed as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. But you can still ensure you are helping out using the ‘Stop and Help’ Facebook group run by Heather Harries and her husband and two sons. Heather organises the logistics of contactless delivery and informs group members of requirements which she has received through private messages.
Other charities that you can donate to include:
- Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP)
- Emirates Red Crescent
- World Vision
- Save the Children
That’s all we have for our round-up of Ramadan charities in Dubai 2020. Donate your offerings or sadaqah during Ramadan to any institution of your choice.
This year due to the pandemic, Ramadan tent permits are revoked across the UAE. With the closure of tents, non-profit and government organisations have decided to deliver food baskets, cooked meals and other essentials to those who need it. 10 Million Meals and similar charities are aiming to deliver countless meals during this years’ holy month of Ramadan.
To facilitate residents who are fasting, each year the work timings for both the private and public sector in the UAE are reduced. Take a look at the Ramadan 2020 working hours in the UAE for more details. You can also refer to the Ramadan 2020 prayer timings to ensure that you don’t miss your prayers this Ramadan.
Stay tuned to MyBayut for more updates on Ramadan in Dubai!
