Giving is receiving

As Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, students emphasise the importance of giving to those less fortunate. Manal Ismail and Amelia Naidoo report.

Charity and good deeds are always important in Islam but they take on a special significance towards the end of Ramadan. As the holy month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

Helping children

Sabah Mraie Al Ahbabie, first year bachelor of education student at Al Ain Women's College (AAWC), gives back to the community through her college. Sabah helps organise various philanthropic activities, which include making donations to underprivileged children worldwide.

"We collect various donations including money and gifts from our classmates," she said. "Everyone is eager to participate because we want to see these children happy."

Student representatives from AAWC are currently collecting money in cans across the college. This will be used to buy gifts for children with special needs between the ages of five and 25 at the Al Ain Rehabilitation Centre. Each group of representatives will be assigned to buy gifts for a specific age group. During their visit to the centre, students will interact with the children through activities organised by the college.

"It's not just about giving gifts," said Tonia Michael, AAWC student activities coordinator and chair of the Ramadan Campaign Committee. "It's about allowing the students to share time with these children. Students are preparing puppet shows and short movies for the kids so it will be like a small celebration."

Raising money

Dubai Women's College (DWC) has organised several activities in the first three weeks of the academic year, which coincided with the beginning of Ramadan. The Student Affairs Department planned the events that were targeted at new and returning students.

The college hosted an Iftar dinner recently, during which students raised Dh1,235. A number of entertainment and charity programmes were organised. There were play areas for children, stalls selling recycled toys, and others offering henna artwork, face painting and manicures.

Children's quizzes and games were also held. Areas had been dedicated to a book store, a majlis area, a clay and a painting area and donation boxes.

The money raised at the Iftar will be donated to the Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs at the end of this semester.

Students also held a "fastathon" where non-Muslim, non-fasting DWC faculty members fasted for a day and challenged their students, who in turn donated money. The money collected will be used for DWC's Financial Aid Student Fund.

Iftar for orphans and the elderly

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently held an Iftar for orphans and the elderly, which saw more than 800 visitors. The event brought together university students, faculty and staff as well as 25 orphans from Human Appeal International in Ajman and 20 elderly people from the Old Peoples' Home in Sharjah.

Students found the whole experience very rewarding as it provided them with an opportunity to take a peek into the lives of others.

Zainab Mustafa, a finance student and member of the Community Services Committee, said that it felt good to know that she had "contributed to the happiness of others".

"We were with the elderly and orphans during the whole event," she said. "We spent quality time with them through various activities and games held through the evening."

The Community Services Committee at AUS organises many philanthropic projects including charity weeks, fundraising events and forums with the goal of giving back to society. "Students can either register to be a part of the committee or they can sign up for the various activities we hold," Zainab said. "We always have posters and signs around campus on the events we're holding."

Sharing food

Corporate organisations such as Watani, a social development programme, has been organising a series of social events during Ramadan to celebrate the traditional values of charity, warmth and fraternity with those living in the UAE.

In the first days of Ramadan, 20,000 traditional Emirati meals called 'harees' were distributed throughout communities in the various Emirates. In areas occupied mainly by expatriates, volunteers delivered the traditional meal with a note briefly explaining the significance of Ramadan and some of its customs including sharing food with neighbours in an effort to share Emirati traditions and communicate the value of Ramadan.

The organisation also hosted Iftar dinners for Abu Dhabi-based students at the Higher Colleges of Technology, workers in Ras Al Khaimah and orphans.

Benefits of giving

This experience is crucial in getting students to feel what it would be like to be in someone else's shoes, said Jawaher Al Zaheri, AAWC business administration student.

"As young people of the UAE, it's very important for us to contribute to society and serve our country," she said. "Through this we can create more awareness and allow students to feel what others feel."

Students also explained that participating in charitable initiatives is also an important dictated part of religion, especially during Ramadan. "This month is the month of giving," said Salma Al Dhaheri, business administration student at AAWC. "Giving to the needy is a required part of Islam and doing so will grant you more hassanat [blessings]. It's a good deed that will remain in this world even after you die."

Munkith Taha, AUS director of student activities, explained that universities play a significant role in shaping students' development and as such, charitable initiatives help bring students back to a sense of reality.

"It's important to teach students how to give back and treat others from all levels of the community," he said. "Such events reflect the true spirit of Ramadan. It's not just about giving money; it's about sharing, helping and volunteering. This time of the year reminds people about the importance of giving."

Zainab explained that by being involved in such causes not only allows students to see life from another perspective, but also adds to their personal experience as a whole. "Through these projects students get to interact with all kinds of people and this enhances their communication skills and prepares them for the real world," she said. "It's also a very rewarding feeling knowing that you're giving back to the community."

More awareness needed

Students said that the fast-paced lives of today's younger generation are a major reason why they are often desensitised to the world's conflicts. "Everyone has their demanding lives and studies to worry about," Sabah said. "And that often keeps students busy and focusing on themselves rather than others, even though they really do want to help."

Shirin Shaikh, AUS student diplomat, shared Sabah's opinion, saying that while it is the student's responsibility to realise the importance of giving, they also need to be aware that opportunities exist.

"Compared to countries like the US, which have a very 'open' sense of philanthropy, it is much more difficult to locate charities in Dubai and get through to them," she said. "It is a two-way thing. Exposure and awareness need to go to a higher level and students need to be given an incentive."

Charities

University isn't your only option for getting involved. International Humanitarian City in Dubai has over 50 philanthropic organisations to choose from including:

All As One

- Website: www.aaodubai.org
- E-mail address: dubai@allasone.org

Children's Hope Foundation

- Website: www.chfdubai.org
- E-mail: chf@gulfwww.com

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)

- Website: www.unicef.org
- E-mail: dubai@unicef.org

No Lemon

- Website: www.no-lemon.com

Start (Al Madad Foundation)

- Website: www.startworld.org
- E-mail: sonia@startworld.org
- For a full list of IHC members and their contact information visit www.ihc.ae .

You can also fill out the volunteer form on the website under the tab "Volunteering and Pro-Bono".

- How do you give back to the community? Are there enough philanthropic initiatives in the UAE? Write to us and tell us your opinions on education@gulfnews.com