A time for others: 5 ways to give to a good cause this Ramadan

As we enter the last week of Ramadan, the urge to give gets deeper. Now is a good time to consider supporting a worthy cause or philanthropic group, be that through shopping, eating or simply getting rid of unwanted items. Here are five options.

The Landmark group is running its Shukran for a Shukran campaign this Ramadan. Through this shoppers can give up the reward points they accrue on their Shukran cards – which are accepted at stores such as Home Centre and Splash – towards the girls’ education programmes supported by Dubai Cares.

Home Centre’s Ramadan and Eid catalogue focuses on the themes of neutral glamour, Bedouin heritage and calligraphy, and includes the new Amani furniture range, which is inspired by Islamic architecture, and the Emily collection, which features Emirati sadu patterns. There is also a curated gifting collection for Eid, which includes items priced from Dh130, including embossed vases, Istikan printed cups and saucers, and wall art prints with inspirational text.

Choithrams has partnered with a number of chefs, including the UN World Food Programme ambassador chef Arthur Potts Dawson, to create five “recipes of tolerance” using Emirati ingredients as well as produce from supporting brands such as Rainbow, Kimball, Quaker, Taj Mahal, Heartlight, Mothers Recipe, Capilano, Nestle and Maggi. Chicken machboos, balaleet, spicy beef salona, luqaimat and fereni will be available to taste and purchase across Choithrams stores in the UAE, and a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of items from its partner brands will be given to Dubai Cares.

“We have been partners with Choithrams for a long time, and we are happy to continue to work together to bring education to the most underprivileged children and youth in every corner of the world,” says Tariq Al Gurg, chief executive, Dubai Cares.

Dubai Retail and Unilever brands Comfort and Omo are collaborating for the ninth time this Ramadan on Share a Touch of Love, a citywide initiative whereby residents and tourists donate their unwanted clothes. These are then washed and distributed to the less fortunate through Emirates Red Crescent. This year the six collection boxes are located at Jumeirah Beach Residence, Bay Avenue, Bay Square, Mudon Community Centre, Al Khail Gate Community Centre and Shorooq Community Centre in Dubai.

The human impact aside, recycling and upcycling clothes also helps the environment – the production of one cotton T-shirt along requires about 2,700 litres of water, the average amount consumed by an adult over three years.

The theme park is offering UAE residents Dh100 tickets this Ramadan, with 10 per cent of all ticket sales going to the Wanna Read? campaign. The charitable initiative, founded by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa, aims to create healing environments through reading for children in hospitals.

Visitors are invited to donate children’s books to a dedicated collection area in Miniland. At the end of Ramadan, all the books will be collected by the Wanna Read? team, and used as part of charity book sales, as well as gifted to paediatric wards across the UAE.

Digital marketplace Noon has partnered with Al Jalila Foundation’s Basma campaign, an initiative that supports children with debilitating or life-threatening diseases. Until the end of Ramadan, customers shopping on Noon.com can select the option of donating Dh5, Dh10, Dh25, Dh50, Dh75 or Dh100 during checkout; the amount will be added to the total bill.

Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, chairperson of the board of directors and member of the board of trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, says: “Ramadan is a time of giving and there can be no greater cause than to support and improve the well-being of children. Al Jalila Foundation sponsors some of the best medical treatments in the world and invests in vital research to eliminate illnesses. Our partners and donors continue to inspire us with their generosity and, every day, we witness the culture of giving that is embedded in the nation’s DNA”

Noon.com offers on products spanning across electronics, fashion, beauty, fragrances, home and kitchen accessories, groceries and children’s items.