UAE | Education

Extension 'will allow more people and firms to participate'

Dubai Cares has been extended for an additional two weeks following the public's 'overwhelming response' to the campaign, a senior government official said yesterday.

  • By Zoi Constantine, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 October 25, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Shaikh Rashid receives Dh2 million from businessman Abdul Salam Rafi.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Dubai: Dubai Cares has been extended for an additional two weeks following the public's 'overwhelming response' to the campaign, a senior government official said yesterday.

The education initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice -President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was due to conclude next week, but the extension now means that those wishing to participate have until November 10 to contribute.

Funds raised by the campaign will go towards various projects including building schools and providing students with health care and food, according to organisers.

"Dubai Cares is set to make a meaningful difference in the lives of deserving children. Following the overwhelming response, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad wants to build on this exemplary community effort by extending the campaign by two more weeks," Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs said in a statement.

"This will provide further opportunity to all those who wish to raise their contribution to help benefit a larger number of children in the identified countries."

Two reasons

Dubai Cares Project Director Mohammad Al Emadi told Gulf News the reason for the decision to extend the "historic" campaign was twofold.

"Firstly, people are still keen to give, so we wanted to extend it to give a chance to other individuals and companies to participate," he said.

"Secondly, many companies and organisations wanted to hold events for Dubai Cares and as time was running out we needed to be able to accommodate more people to be part of this success."

Meanwhile, a Dh2 million donation was presented to Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday by businessman Abdul Salam Rafi, who described the campaign as a "testament to the solidarity of Dubai society."

"The overwhelming response from both local and expatriate communities underscores the strength of our society and the success in Dubai's multicultural model," said Rafi.

"It is an honour to be able to count myself among the many that were quick in their response to the call of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad to support Dubai Cares."

The Lebanese-Emirati Friendship Association raised Dh6.5million in support of the Dubai Cares campaign, through a charity dinner and auction recently held in Dubai.

The Jordanian Business Council organised a charity gala dinner and raised a total of one million dirhams to be added to what the Jordanian businessmen have already contributed directly to the campaign.

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