University of Sharjah Ramadan Bag

Students at the university undertook a special project this month to serve the community. Titled the Ramadan Bag, the project involved collecting funds, using them to purchase food items and finally distributing these to the needy.

Wafa Omar, president of the Azaem Club at the university, said: "We collected about Dh20,000 and made 200 bags to give away to those who cannot afford even basic food stuffs."

The bags, filled with dates, rice, lentils and juices, were distributed to families in the UAE. Wafa said 100 bags were supplied to people in Sharjah, while the rest were given to those in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.

The project was organised in coordination with Islamic scholar Amr Al Khalid. "We learnt the procedures from his programme - as in collecting money for two weeks, buying the food for one week and distributing it during the three days before Ramadan. And it worked alhmadulilah," Wafa said.

Her friend Salma Banawan, a computer engineering student, said it was a "great experience working together for this cause".

Asked if there were any other events being organised on campus for the month Salma said all the colleges usually host their own iftar evenings.

"For example I am organising an iftar for the engineering college," she said. "Having iftar together really raises the spirit of Ramadan."

Student clubs are also trying to provide donations to the elderly, orphan children and others in need during the month.

Both Wafa and Salma emphasised that Ramadan is a time to make changes for the better and follow them through the rest of the year. "This is a chance that should not be missed," Salma said.