UAE celebrates the spirit of Ramadan with 4 great initiatives

Every Ramadan, the United Arab Emirates gives its residents – and the rest of the world – great lessons in giving, caring and charitable work. This year, there were 4 initiatives that stood out as great examples of the true meaning of Ramadan.

Here they are:

The timing of this campaign couldn’t be better as people are spending more time on their mobile phones and social media than reading books. The campaign was launched on the first day of Ramadan by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide five million books to children in refugee camps and underprivileged students in schools around the world. It will continue until the 19th day of Ramadan. So far, the campaign succeeded in collecting 3 million books.

If you constantly wonder about ways of giving back and helping the less privileged in the UAE, now you have your answer! The Sharing Fridge Campaign, which is the brainchild of Australian expat Sumayyah Sayed, involves stocking up community fridges with any type of food you could think of, from bread and fruit to juices and biscuits. The campaign succeeded in placing 43 fridges around Dubai with each serving up to 150 people a day. There is even a map to show you the nearest fridge!

In true Ramadan spirit, Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of State for Youth put on her florescent vest and hit the streets last week to distribute iftar meals to motorists who could not reach home in time for iftar. Mazroui, who is the youngest minister in the world (22-years-old) tweeted: "At this time, the cities and emirates of our country is filled with giving young people who are taking part in distributing iftar meals for all." The initiative is a great example of sharing, caring and social solidarity. It also plays a big role in encouraging the youth to get involved in volunteering and charitable work.

For years, food courts inside malls in Dubai were closed during fasting hours in Ramadan. But since last Ramadan, they became open to non-fasting residents who wish to enjoy a meal while shopping. This move is a great example of the level of tolerance in the UAE and the amount of consideration it has for others.