Majid Al Futtaim launches Ramadan charity campaign

Dubai: A region-wide campaign to collect items and distribute them to the needy this Ramadan was launched yesterday by Majid Al Futtaim shopping mall, retail and leisure group.

The ninth year of the annual ‘Make a Difference this Ramadan’ campaign, in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), has extended its reach this year to 17 of Majid Al Futtaim malls throughout the region with various collection points where people can donate funds, clothes, electronics, toys, non-perishable food and other essentials that can put a smile on the faces of the disadvantaged across the region.

Residents and visitors have been encouraged to contribute to the campaign which now will also include Majid Al Futtaim’s hypermarkets and entertainment destinations across the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Beirut and Egypt. Boxes have been placed at prime locations in City Centre Deira, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, My City Centre and Matajer Malls in Sharjah.

Fuad Mansour Sharaf, Senior Director, Property Management at Shopping Malls for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said the campaign has witnessed great success over the years and seen thousands of items being collected and distributed to the less fortunate.

“The campaign has extended its reach in its ninth edition and will include Majid as a group also, where people can now donate at Carrefour, Magic Planet, Ski Dubai, Vox Cinemas including Matajer Malls, which have become part of the campaign. There will be significant reductions on essential items that can be donated onsite at Carrefour and also Ramadan Najm shopping vouchers that can be gifted to those in need,” he said.

People can also donate toys at Magic Planet for less privileged children, he said, buy cinema tickets that will be donated to the campaign, and donate their locker deposits at Ski Dubai.

Abdullah Al Haj Al Zarouni, Head of ERC, announced that ERC has dedicated Dh22 million this Ramadan for programmes and initiatives being launched in the country and Dh16 million for those held outside the country. He emphasised the importance of contributing to this campaign and highlighted the role of this campaign in spreading the spirit of giving.

“Such campaigns reflect the aim of Ramadan, which is to be merciful and think about those who are less privileged. We encourage everyone to do something to support these people as we are doing our best to distribute what we receive and launch initiatives to help them,” he said.

He added that ERC has already dedicated Dh8.5 million for a programme aimed at distributing iftar to those fasting, Dh5.5 million for Zakat a programme, Dh6 million for shopping vouchers to be distributed to needy families, and has set up 128 tents across the country this Ramadan.

Renowned Emirati celebrity Fayez Al Saeed, known as the ‘Ambassador of Tunes’, has been chosen to raise awareness of the importance of giving and encourage the young generation to donate towards the campaign.