People who are in need of financial assistance will have an opportunity to get a helping hand in Ramadan.
Al Awla is a charity initiative that will allow people in need of healthcare, social assistance, education or legal help to apply for assistance from a Dh1 million fund that has been set aside from the personal account of Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, the President of Al Fajer Properties.
Arab Media Group is also taking part in the programme.
A panel of 25 lawyers, doctors, psychologists and other specialists will meet regularly during the month to assess the cases. The panel will act immediately and within days people will be helped.
Dr Shahram Abdullah Zadeh, the CEO of Al Fajer Properties, said: "We believe that Ramadan is a month of giving and as part of the economic policies of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, it is only fair to reach out to those who are struggling with problems, and there is no better time than Ramadan." He added: "We have received over 100 applications for Al Awla in the past three days and we are now sorting them into categories to be looked into by experts." Dr Zadeh said that Al Fajer Properties will distribute 4,000 meals to people in poor neighbourhoods during the month from the budget allocated by Sheikh Hasher.
All those interested in seeking help can send in their applications with supporting documents up to the end of Ramadan.
Al Fajer Properties and Arab Media Group have launched another initiative called: "Where is the Fanoos?", a programme for people with lots of energy, who are keen to have fun in Ramadan. Fanoos is the Arabic word for lantern.
Daily clues will be announced on ARN radio stations for listeners to look out for the "guardian of the Fanoos", who, when spotted, will give a Dh10,000 cash prize daily.
The radio stations will pro vide a clue in the first five minutes of the hour (9.30pm to 10.30pm).
The participant will have to go to the location with a copy of Emirates Today or Al Emarat Al Youm and say the correct phrase: "Are you the Fanoos guard?" to win the prize.
If the guard is not found, the money will accumulate for the next day when the total will be Dh20,000. The prize might reach Dh300,000 by the end of the month.
By Bana Qabbani
© Emirates Today 2006
