Filipino Muslim group reaches out to its community

Al Ain: In the charitable spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, a Filipino Muslim group, the Light of Islam for Enlightenment Council (LIFE), has extended a helping hand to destitute Filipinas at a female shelter in Abu Dhabi.

Some 150 women, of whom 50 are Muslim, are currently living at the Filipino Workers Resource Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The women are mostly housemaids awaiting repatriation to the Philippines for various reasons.

Some have convictions; others are unemployed; some are said to be suffering from cultural shock.

"Our support for these women will make a difference during their stay at the centre," said Esmail Sorio, chairman of the charitable group which has launched a month-long campaign called ‘Ramadan Call 2010'.

The campaign is an annual event for the charity, he pointed out, and something which they've done at this time of year, every year, for the last 12 years.

Time to share

The group aims to help distressed and confined housemaids by providing food and basic necessities.

"This is a simple fulfilment of our duties as Muslims. We've been collecting food items and new and used clothes from good-hearted individuals," said Sorio, adding that the centre is run by the Labour Office of the Embassy of the Philippines in Abu Dhabi.

The month, he said, offers an opportunity to every Muslim to share their blessings by giving to people in need.

And the LIFE council are calling Filipino community members, under the spirit of Team Bayanihan, a scheme promoted by Grace Princesa, the Ambassador of the Philippines to Abu Dhabi, to help the less fortunate.

Sorio said some of the Filipinas have been at the shelter for the last six months.

Their prolonged stay has added anxiety to their situation and the community needs to help them meet their basic needs so that they can go back home as soon as possible.

Support

The UAE Red Crescent Authority has extended its support. Philanthropists can contact the LIFE at 050-328 0091 to pledge support and to get more information on the plight of the confined women.