Culture & Education | Tuesday 14 June, 2016 4:29 pm |

As the UAE’s ‘Reading Nation’ Ramadan campaign gathers steam, more corporate and individual donors are throwing their weight behind the initiative launched on the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

 

Among the latest contributors, Dubai Duty Free donated AED3 million and an individual philanthropist who wishes to remain anonymous has also pledged AED3 million to the campaign that aims to distribute five million books to refugee camps and underprivileged students in schools around the world.

 

His Excellency Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Cares received a cheque for the amount from Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free at their headquarters. Al Gurg commended the contribution by Dubai Duty Free (DDF) and said: “The participation of Dubai Duty Free in the Reading Nation campaign and this altruistic gesture reflect a strong commitment to social responsibility and reinforce the entity’s sustained support to humanitarian efforts launched in Dubai and the wider UAE. DDF has consistently transcended borders and geographies in supporting underprivileged people across the world.”  

 

Al Gurg also commended the generous donation of the anonymous philanthropist and said such heart-warming actions validate the traditions and humanitarian values of the UAE which have made the country a leading contributor to humanitarian aid globally. He noted that the gesture is also a testament to the harmony that exists between the vision of the UAE leadership and that of its people. 

 

He added: “With the proactive involvement of individuals, companies and organizations, the campaign has gathered rapid momentum and today we are already well on track to achieving the campaign’s ultimate goals. We will continue to work relentlessly with our partners and stakeholders until we see the realization of our ambitious plans for the benefit of the children of the world.”

 

For his part, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free praised the unique humanitarian initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and said: “This first-of-its-kind Ramadan campaign complements the previous initiatives launched by His Highness over the past years and conveys a message of benevolence and peace from the UAE to the world during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We are honored to partner with this campaign in line with our commitment to social responsibility principles that contribute to the UAE’s goal of extending a helping hand to those less fortunate - no matter where they live and who they may be.”       

 

The Reading Nation campaign will continue until the 19th day of Ramadan that coincides with UAE Humanitarian Day. The goal of the campaign is to provide five million books to students-in-need in refugee camps and underprivileged students in schools around the world. Two million books will be provided to children and students in refugee camps. The campaign will also facilitate the supply of two million books to some 2,000 school libraries around the world. In addition, Reading Nation will support the foreign educational program of Emirati humanitarian organizations through donating one million books to this cause.