"Supporting Orphans' Issues is a Moral Matter Above All Things."
Makkah - July 2013: In the spirit of Holy Month, the Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Makkah (FRHI) hosted several of the city's orphans at their annual Gala Iftars, in partnership with Orphans Charity of Makkah, held in presence of the Dr. Abdullah Al-Tawil, Director of Social Affairs for the Western Region. The orphans, as well as employees of the charity, were received by a delegation of general managers of the hotel chain's three properties in the city, represented by Dr. Mohammed H. Arkobi, Vice President and Managing Director of FRHI.
The orphans of Makkah had a chance to visit the hotel on several occasions during the Holy Month of Ramadan, where they were introduced to the city's newest landmark, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower - Fairmont, as well as Raffles Makkah Palace and Swissotel Makkah. They were also given the chance to explore the hotel and experience its facilities and services before the Gala Iftars. After praying the Maghrib prayer at private room overlooking the Kabaa and Grand Mosque, the orphans were given gifts to enjoy as a gesture of goodwill and happiness of the Holy Month.
Dr. Al-Tawil strongly urged members of various government and private entities to take part in this act of goodness, stating that whoever is capable should actively participate in charity, while organizations and businessmen should extend their hand to care for orphans who make up an important part of the society. He also stressed that while the Holy Month of Ramadan is an ideal chance to help out, such acts of goodness should not be limited to only one month.
The initiative exemplified the essence of humanity, where members of society came together for a single cause and helped out the orphans of the city. FRHI played a significant role as a member of the private sector, while the Orphans Charity of Makkah - represented by Mr. Mohammed Clintin, member of the Board of Directors - inspired various charity organizations. Mr. Clintin expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for this annual initiative of inviting orphans to Gala Iftars, as well as the hotel's contribution towards charity projects aimed at them (Kafalat Al Yatim). He pointed out that the Charity sponsored almost 2,000 orphans in the Makkah region with several programs that look after orphans for their present and their future, including financial savings schemes, marriage funds, housing, and scholarships from the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program.
On behalf of the hotel, Dr. Mohammed Arkobi expressed his gratitude for being a part of the event, and emphasized the importance of interdependence and solidarity, which fosters a sense of responsibility towards the community, adding that acts of goodness such as these are in compliance with the decrees of Islam, are part of the organization's CSR policies, and are in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
He also added "This initiative, towards which we have spent a significant amount of time and effort, constitutes a form of support and assistance to charities, and encourages them to achieve their noble objectives, and is an expression of how we see the orphans who are an integral part of our society. We will certainly continue to organize such constructive initiatives which drive social partnership and responsibility in the Kingdom."
© Press Release 2013
