A Holy Month of solidarity and compassion

In light of the unusual and challenging circumstances the UAE and the whole world are currently experiencing, the Holy Month of Ramadan is bound to be different this year.

Several new programmes and initiatives to be implemented by the authorities will help keep the spirit of the Holy Month shining.

Keen to continue operations at the Remote Quran Centres during the Holy Month, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, GAIAE, will use smart systems to offer four virtual classes for memorisation and recitation of the Holy Quran, including a dedicated class for people of determination, as pointed out by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, spokesman of the GAIAE.

The GAIAE would facilitate Quran memorisation services for those who are not enrolled in Quran Centres through a smart platform that operates at flexible times.

Those who are interested to learn more can register through the Authority’s website or its smart application.

The GAIAE would also provide remote lectures through three main services, broadcast religious awareness programmes on different radio and TV stations, and offer lectures, classes, and courses through live videos on Instagram Live.

The third new service focuses on providing support and comfort to bereaved families through a remote programme.

The Centre’s services will include an Instagram Live-enabled Fatwa Majlis, as well as daily radio programmes dedicated to fatwa on fasting in Arabic, English, and Urdu.

A hotline for fatwa support services for frontline healthcare workers will also be dedicated to answering their religious queries.

The authorities consider the public’s health to be a priority, and therefore it is necessary to avoid some social customs usually practised during the Holy Month.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE health sector, has rightly suggested that it is important to avoid gathering around the Iftar table, sharing food with neighbours, and gathering with friends for Suhoor during this year’s Ramadan.

Though the month may feel difficult without customary family visits and gatherings, it provides an opportunity to adopt positive behaviour like a healthy diet, exercise, self-development, spending time with one’s children, and most importantly, worshipping and caring for oneself and others.

The UAE is known for its benevolent spirit. The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has launched a project to provide 4.5 million Iftar meals during the Holy Month to workers in industrial areas in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

The initiative is in line with the Ramadan Mir (ration) initiative that has benefited 46,000 families around the country.

Separately, more than 15,000 donors have pledged 450,000 meals and food parcels online and via SMS to support families and individuals affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the UAE within the first two days of the ‘10 million meals’ campaign launch.

It is heartening that companies and individuals have rushed to support the UAE’s biggest food distribution drive through making online and SMS donations, besides thousands of more financial and in-kind donations pouring into the campaign’s call centre and bank account.

The campaign enables individuals and institutions to make financial and in-kind donations towards providing meals and food parcels to low-income individuals and families across the country throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.

As stated by Dr Farida Al Hosani, during the Holy Month, it is important to continue upholding preventative measures like social distancing, disinfecting surfaces, washing hands with water and soap, and avoiding gatherings.