Throughout the Holy month, a number of charitable events and activities will be taking place in Abu Dhabi, offering ample opportunity for you to give back to society. Abu Dhabi Week rounds up a few good causes

The concept of charity is an integral part of Islam. In fact, it is commonplace for Muslims to give 2.5 percent of their income to the poor, and it is the duty of an Islamic country to collect this and divide it equally. This giving of alms is known as Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is increasingly popular during Ramadan.

Bed buddies

Got a spare bed this summer? The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund in Abu Dhabi (PCRF) is looking for two host families (Arabic or English speaking) who could provide accommodation, as well as help care for the following children from this month:

• Zead Shaib, who is suffering from clubbed feet (he will be coming to the UAE with his mother)
• Mohammed Hamshreh, who has Partial Synostosis in his right elbow

Both patients will be seeking medical treatment at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), and may need to stay in Abu Dhabi for approximately two to three months. If you think you may be able to provide a caring home to either of these patients, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as possible.

PCRF is a non-profit organisation that works to provide free medical care for children from the Middle East who are unable to get the necessary and specialised treatment in their homeland. Since 1991, they have helped over 800 children receive medical treatment that was not available to them locally. Even if you can’t host them, you can still donate to PCRF’s noble cause. Visit www.pcrf.net

 

Tent-tastic

Apart from the Red Crescent tents pitched all over the city that allow you to drop off anything from canned foods to clothing for the poor, Red Crescent also works together with various corporate organisations every Ramadan to feed the hungry in Abu Dhabi.

For example, ADMA-OPCO has been hosting a tent with the charity for a few years now. Erected just outside their headquarters, around 300 labourers come there every evening to break their fast for free with a biryani dinner, a few traditional dishes and fruits. But they wouldn’t turn you away if you showed up too. Plus when food runs out, the company restaurant usually steps in with more meals. ADMA-OPCO organises a few other Iftars around town with themed evenings, fun activities and entertainment for the whole family; they aren’t free, but they usually invite orphans from one of Abu Dhabi’s orphanages for dinner and to take part in kid’s games, quizzes and raffles. The children are also given gift bags with books, t-shirts and caps, money vouchers and more.

The company goes the extra mile for their employees too. Prior to Ramadan, ADMA-OPCO does a money collection for some 20-30 of their less well off employees allowing them to make the sacred trip to Mecca. To see how you can help or take part, contact 02 606 1603.

Otherwise, if you’ve got a wardrobe full of clothes you’re ready to let go of, or would like to donate non-perishable food items, medical supplies, stationery, furniture to those in need, here’s a list of some Red Crescent tents we’ve noticed around town that will gladly take them:

Carrefour, Airport Rd
Opposite the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal on Muroor Rd (4th)
Just across the road from the back entrance of One to One Hotel, Salam St
Get in touch with Red Crescent
on 02 641 9000.

 

Hotel help

What better way to give back to the less fortunate than by dining at a lavish Iftar tent? There are plenty of venues playing Good Samaritan this Ramadan.

The Special Care Centre’s growing waiting list, lack of space, and outdated facilities all call for a re-vamp if they are to provide the best possible services and education to a lot more special needs students. Help lay a brick towards a new facility simply by having dinner one evening at Crowne Plaza’s (Hamdan St) Iftar tent. For every person that dines at The Garden for their Iftar buffet, Crowne Plaza will be donating a brick (AED 5) to the centre. The Iftar Buffet including Iftar beverages costs AED 125 adults, AED 75 children (children under six years free). Information: 02 616 6838.

The Millennium Hotel also does a great Iftar, and commits to a great cause too. Relax in their Layali El Alfeya tent with sumptuous foods, Ramadan television programmes, shisha and live Oud music knowing that five percent of what you pay will be going to the Abilities Development Centre for Special Needs. Information: 02 614 600

On 17th August, all Abu Dhabi’s Starwood Properties, including Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Sheraton Khalidiya and Le Royal Meridien, will be handing out generous Iftar packages to the first 200 taxi drivers pulling up at the hotels on that day. Information: www.starwoodhotels.com

Also, In line with UNICEF’s ‘Schools for Africa’ campaign, Le Royal Meridien will be selling Road to Awareness wristbands and pins (each AED 25) to guests in their Iftar tent, the money from which will be donated to the cause. Information: 02 674 2020.