DUBAI: In line with the Year of Giving initiative launched by UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) in collaboration with the Department of Awqaf, Sharjah, organised an Umrah trip for 11 orphans.
As part of the ‘Making Orphans Happy’ initiative by the Department of Awqaf, Sharjah, the orphans and their four chaperones visited the holy Islamic sites of Makkah and Madinah, as well as several historical landmarks in the vicinity. Apart from its religious significance, the visit was aimed to enhance the children’s knowledge of Islamic teachings and rituals, the life of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and prominent periods of Islamic history.
Tayyeb Al Rais, secretary-general of AMAF, said, “The foundation adopts a holistic approach with regard to caring for orphans and minors, and ensuring that all aspects of their development are carefully addressed. In addition to meeting the children’s educational, health care, and social needs, we are also keen on instilling values and imparting learnings that make them upstanding members of society. Many of our donors have earmarked a certain proportion of their contributions to finance pilgrimages for orphans.
“Umrah was a formative experience for the children, as it taught them the meaning of responsibility, self-reliance and perseverance, illustrated by shining examples from the life of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In addition, they learnt how to perform the Umrah rituals,” he added.
During the trip, the children heard fascinating stories from Islamic history, including the account of Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) migration from Makkah to Madinah (hijra), and participated in educational contests.
