Charitable acts mark the life of Sheikh Zayed

DUBAI // Charity initiatives, donation drives and tree planting events were held on Monday to commemorate Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, dedicated to the memory of the UAE’s founding father.

The 11th anniversary of the death of Sheikh Zayed reminds residents of the importance of humanitarian work and the culture of giving as lessons learnt from the late Ruler.

The 19th day of Ramadan is designated as Zayed Humanitarian Day across the country.

Sheikh Zayed represented generosity and instilled the love of giving in the hearts of his people, said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development.

In tribute to Sheikh Zayed, she said people should remember him on this day for his humanity that has elevated the Emirates to a global humanitarian platform.

As part of his legacy, donor organisations in the UAE respond immediately to people suffering in disaster situations and help refugees requiring assistance, said Sheikha Lubna, also the head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid.

Help was extended to the world’s needy regardless of race, religion or colour, to alleviate the suffering of those affected by conflict and natural disasters and to provide them with a decent living, she said.

The UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa, followed the teachings of Sheikh Zayed and this had become a road map for development and donor organisations, Sheikha Lubna said.

In other events yesterday, about 50 orphans planted seven ghaf trees at the heritage village in Al Shindagha as part of a programme organised by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

“The ghaf trees were selected because these trees are native to our country and the number seven represents all the emirates,” said Khalil Abdulwahid, visual arts manager at the authority.

The children later set free 50 birds, were presented with gifts and joined in an iftar meal with officials.

“On this important day we felt it was essential to make the orphans feel like they are part of a larger family, for them to know they had support and would be taken care of just like our rulers take care of us,” Mr Abdulwahid said.

The Roads and Transport Authority hosted 20 orphans at KidZania in The Dubai Mall in collaboration with Awqaf and the Minors Affairs Foundation in Dubai. The children were also presented with educational electronic gifts.

The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) distributed clothes to workers in its utility services.

An iftar was also organised in coordination with the Rashid Centre for the Disabled in Dubai to deepen community awareness about the aspirations of disabled students.

“Sheikh Zayed remains in the conscience and the existence of every citizen and resident in the UAE,” said Hamad Al Mansoori, TRA’s director general.

“The day is to show the immense gratitude we have to the unique character that was Sheikh Zayed.”

All through the week programmes will be held in the UAE and overseas to reflect the spirit of humanitarianism.

The Emirati Charity Works Authority office in Palestine celebrated Zayed Humanitarian Work Day by organising Ramadan banquets at Al Aqsa Mosque and distributing thousands of iftar and suhoor meals.

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