Dubai: Corporate sponsorship for this year's Ramadan Forum has increased as the country gears up for the fasting month, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which is running the spiritually educational event.
The ninth in its series, titled ‘Gathering to succeed', runs from the second to 18th of Ramadan. The forum also features lectures in English barring the last day, which is in Tagalog by prominent speakers.
A huge tent in Al Twar holding 7,000 has been set up for the enlightening occasion.
"This is mainly a local event, a pure corporate social responsibility project to educate. Having said that, this year Ramadan falls into the holidays so many Gulf nationals are expected to attend [forum]," Arwa Al Gammai, director of events at DTCM told Gulf News.
The forum was so popular last year that some were sitting on the floor and attracted respected VIP lecturers from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, she said.
Sponsors change almost every year. This year there are ten, including Dubai Islamic Bank, 3 NIX, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai Customs, and Meydan, the latter sponsoring the iftar.
"We're glad to have such a large number of sponsors even during the economic crisis and really appreciate their participation," said Al Gammai.
A familiar face is Tamani Hotels and Resorts. They are sponsoring the event for the second time.
"We are very keen to support it, social activities raising tolerance and solidarity," said the group's director general Mouin Sarhaan.
The Al Naboodah Group has been sponsoring the forum from its inception and this year is taking care of the charity caravan, preacher of the nation and an Iftar gathering for thousands of workers at the Sonapur labour accommodation.
Dewa is taking the opportunity to create awareness about saving water and energy among the community, especially as summer consumption increases by 40 per cent, said its director of media and marketing, Aref Julphar. The Bait Al Khair Association is raising its support for needy families from 5,000 to 8,000.
Other activities and awareness campaigns involve blood banks by the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Police. But the Ramadan Forum Souq, which displayed small and medium projects by budding entrepreneurs, has been scrapped this year.
Too many events would distract and it wouldn't be appropriate to keep people who need to work the next day until after midnight, said Al Gammai.
"Each year we study the content of the forum and decided that this year we wanted to change the atmosphere from shopping to be purely educational and addressing families," she added.
The General Directorate for Residency and Foreign Affairs is sponsoring the children's tent so parents can enjoy the lecture in peace.
Al Gammai underlines Ramadan's spirit of giving although agrees that Eid can turn a little commercial.
"The period of Ramadan is about charity. But just like other events anywhere in the world, Eid is one of the big festive occasions."
