DOHA: The Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) has announced a rich lineup of charity projects during the holy month of Ramadan.
RAF has allocated a total of QR16m for its projects in the entire Ramadan season, QR10m of which will be spent in Qatar while the remaining QR6m for projects around the world.
From 32 countries last year, RAF has expanded its reach to 49 countries for its charity initiatives in the coming Ramadan, including 15 countries from the Arab region, nine in Africa, 13 in Asia, eight in Europe and four in Latin America, noted Director-General of RAF Ayid Al Qahtani in a press conference yesterday at the RAF Headquarters.
"These charity projects are not only for Muslims but for the entire community," said Al Qahtani, adding previously Iftar tents witnessed a considerable number of people from other communities.
Muhasin Al Ajji, Director of Community Service Department, said RAF will distribute 1,400 purchase cards called 'Bithaqath Hadiyyathie' (basket of charity) worth QR500, QR1,000 and QR1,500, from which 119 are to be distributed in association with the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The QR500 card will be given for families with up to five members, QR1,000 for families of five to 10 members, and QR1,500 will be given to families with 10 to 15 members.
"Around 100,000 persons throughout Ramadan are expected to attend 10 Iftar tents that RAF will organise. These Iftar tents will be located in Umm Ghuwailina, Gharrafa, Central Market, Abu Hamour, Shahaniyya, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Ain Khalid, Umm Salal Mohammad and Muaither," said Al Ajji.
Seven Iftar programmes for Indian, Nepalese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Filipino, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi communities will be hosted by RAF in which more than 8,000 persons are expected to attend.
In addition, there is also another Iftar programme for students of Qatar University.
The Public Relations Department will be printing 40,000 copies of religious booklets to be distributed for free, according to Ahmed Al Harmi, PR Head. A cultural competition will also be organised in four Arabic newspapers with valuable prizes.
For 30 days a film on RAF's projects in Kenya will be broadcast on Qatar TV. In addition Quran and religious CDs will be distributed and activities of RAF throughout Ramadan will be published in Al Sharq newspaper. All the programmes will also be covered in RAF website and social media.
RAF will also be organising 'Bashair Al Rahma', the biggest cultural programme in Ramadan in association with Katara, Ezdan, Villaggio and Landmark, said Al Rifaee, Head of Cultural Affairs Department.
The programme includes religious speeches in Arabic and English by prominent scholars, religious songs by famous troupes in both English and Arabic, cultural competitions, a special exhibition with rare photos of the holy city of Makkah and the different development phases of Makkah haram, a special religious and education expo, RAF competition based on the book 'Maalim Al Rahmah' and interviews with educationists and imams with Quran recitation at Ezdan villages.
This year, RAF will organise the biggest Ramadan competition in Comoros on Quran memorisation, merits of the family of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and the merits of Ayish, the wife of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), explained Dr Jassim Al Shammari, Director of Projects Department.
A grand Iftar in Darfur for 25,000 people will also be hosted.
The Markaz Al Sahabah, which is a comprehensive Islamic centre implemented by RAF in Somalia will be inaugurated within the first 10 days of Ramadan while the foundation stone for a university in Kenya will be laid this Ramadan. RAF has already financed 115 projects throughout this year, some of which have already been completed.
© The Peninsula 2011
