Dubai: As part of the Ramadan ‘Reading Nation’ campaign, LuLu Group on Wednesday announced a contribution of Dh2 million to provide 200,000 books to refugee camps and schools around the world.
The campaign, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will continue until the 19th day of Ramadan (June 24), which coincides with Zayed Humanitarian Day.
The goal of the campaign is to provide five million books to students-in-need in refugee camps and schools around the Arab and Islamic world.
Yousef Ali MA, Chairman, LuLu Group, said: “This is a great humanitarian initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed and will certainly help build our future generations and nurture their minds and the souls. I am honoured and proud to associate with the Reading Nation campaign, which I am confident will create a global impact in spreading knowledge among underprivileged children.”
The latest contribution means the corporate support for the campaign has reached at least Dh13 million.
Dubai Cares CEO Tariq Al Gurg said: “We appreciate and commend the LuLu Group for its support and contribution to the Reading Nation campaign. The Group has consistently reinforced the various humanitarian initiatives launched by the UAE and led the way as a proactive corporate enabler that encourages private sector companies in the country to give back to the community that has shaped their prosperity.”
In the campaign, two million books will be provided to children and students in refugee camps. Also, 2,000 school libraries around the Arab and Islamic world will be supplied with two million books. Additionally, the campaign will support the educational programmes of Emirati philanthropic organisations abroad and donate a further one million books to this cause.
Details of the campaign are available on www.readingnation.ae
Meanwhile, Dubai Channels Network (DCN) is marking its participation in the campaign by offering extensive coverage of the initiative across its various channels, including radio, TV, and social media platforms.
DCN’s responsibilities include developing innovative ideas to encourage society to contribute to the initiative. The network is also mandated to cover donation and fund drives at participating schools and malls, as well as special events where books are distributed to beneficiaries. In addition, DCN’s promotion of the campaign includes providing space for commercials, broadcasting campaign videos, and displaying the campaign’s slogan in a loop at specific time slots.
Ali Al Rumaithi, General Manager, Dubai TV, said: “Through our involvement in this campaign, we seek to shape a collective social consciousness in the UAE towards an important issue — lack of knowledge resources and adequate literary skills — that impacts every Arab and Muslim family.”
Etisalat and Du Telecommunications have dedicated toll-free numbers through which individuals can make donations to the campaign throughout Ramadan, with each book costing Dh10.
The Emirates Red Crescent and Dubai Cares will also receive donations through their bank accounts, branch locations, and donation kiosks across the country.
