TIME TO GIVE

GULFWEEKLY readers are being urged to once more open their hearts and lend the needy a helping hand throughout Ramadan by backing a month-long campaign that aims to make a difference.

Your campaigning community newspaper has linked up with Bahrain City Centre (BCC) for the third consecutive year to back the mall’s initiative which will encourage customers to donate everyday items such as clothing, books, non-perishable food and eye glasses.

More than 6,060 everyday items were collected for the 2012 ‘Make a Difference this Ramadan’ appeal which donated 2,500 books, 3,000 bags of clothing, 160 pairs of glasses and 400 food items to Al Noor Charity Welfare Society.

Special collection boxes will be placed in BCC’s central galleria as soon as Ramadan officially starts, to allow supporters to donate items that many of us take for granted but could make a difference to a family struggling to make ends meet.

“Spreading the true essence of Ramadan is what Majid Al Futtaim Properties focuses on for the celebration of the holy month,” said Duaij Khalifa Al Rumaihi, senior mall manager at BCC.
 
“Through our family-focused activities, we wish to keep the spirit of solidarity, compassion and camaraderie that will create an impact on the community. Our efforts to reiterate the principles that are taught in Islam underline our commitment for being a socially-responsible organisation.”

The aim is to build on our successful joint campaigns while continuing to spread the message of giving … and that’s where readers can step in again. GulfWeekly Editor Stan Szecowka said: “We always receive a tremendous response from readers to our community campaigns and I’m positive we can make a real difference once again.”

Maher Ali, 11, who lives in Jidhafs and is a student at Alia Primary School, has already started sifting through his room to find clothing and books to donate to young people in need.

Maher, who has two brothers, Qaher, six, and three-month-old Farooq, said: “I really like this campaign as I think it’s a great idea to help struggling families in Bahrain.

“I plan on giving whatever I can to help other kids. Our mother, Mariam, has taught us to share.”

He will be passing on his bags of goodies to his father, Ali Al Qattan, the tenant and government relations executive at Bahrain City Centre, to place in the collection boxes.

The orphans and children registered with Al Noor Charity Welfare Society will be delighted to receive Maher’s gifts alongside others from our family of readers.

Campaign organisers are looking forward to supporting more needy families registered with the charity. The society was founded in 1997 by its president Shaikha Lamia bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, along with nine other community champions.

The charity provides funding for educational and medical purposes to those in need alongside supporting other initiatives such as helping to rebuild homes and caring for the elderly in the community.

Shaikha Lamia said: “We are honoured to be a part of the campaign again as it was such a great success last year.

“Our society was flooded with boxes and bags full of donations. It was such a blessing. The generosity of the people of Bahrain has helped put smiles on so many faces during the spiritual month of Ramadan.

“The number of items collected was so great that it took us a while to distribute everything. We were also able to donate books to different libraries in the community, like the one in East Riffa which specialises in supporting children with their studies.

“We pride ourselves on being involved in the community. The clothes were distributed all over Bahrain and some remaining items were sent to the Muslim community in the Seychelles.

“We’d like to thank BCC and GulfWeekly for their continued support and will be looking forward to distributing more items to individuals and families registered for assistance. We would also like to thank those big-hearted readers who help make a difference.”