As the Muslim world experiences another Ramadan amid pandemic conditions, the need for the relief that zakat can provide persists.
While the UAE has tackled Covid-19 with mass vaccination drives, the crisis has delivered hardship for people enduring job losses or wage cuts.
Zakat – one of the five pillars of Islam – requires Muslims above a certain financial threshold to donate 2.5 per cent of their wealth. And this can be channelled at home or abroad, including helping people struggling to cover rent or medical, education and food bills.
Zakat creates accountabilities for all of us to care for one another and help eradicate poverty
In Arabic, zakat means to purify or to cleanse, explains Nasif Kayed, Emirati founder of The Arab Culturalist, a consultancy fostering better understanding of Arabic and Muslim culture for improved societal integration and conducting business in the region.
“Zakat’s purpose is to create financial balance in society by giving from our wealth and blessings to those who are less fortunate and in need of basic support,” Mr Kayed says.
“It creates accountabilities for all of us to care for one another and help eradicate poverty, no matter where it exists.”
Zakat is paid to eight specific categories of “needy in our society”, according to Mr Kayed, starting with the destitute and including those in “severe debt”.
“It does not include close relations like parents, grandparents, immediate family, spouse and kids … this is already an obligation to you personally.”
UAE-based Muslims have several potential destinations for contributions, and while the process can be as simple as paying at a booth inside a mall, you can donate remotely to official charities.
Among the most familiar zakat recipients, Emirates Red Crescent supports several causes, from orphans and Yemen relief to providing iftar meals and building mosques.
Its website hosts a list of bank accounts, so contributors can channel where their money goes.
The Emirates Charity portal allows general donations or to choose from a catalogue where payments can be made to its registered causes; projects range from wells and clinics overseas to providing schools and orphanages.
Dubai Cares is one of the city’s largest registered charities and, as such, enables donations through several routes, including online, banks, shops and by phone.
Funds fuel its work providing children and young people in developing countries access to quality education, including Vietnam school libraries and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Dubai Cares’ website details easy-to-follow donation methods.
Dar Al Ber Society is a leading UAE charity. Its Ramadan campaign includes serving thousands of free meals daily and supplying needy people with food and clothing.
Payments can be made via its official website, as well as SMS, money transfer, smart app, a donation hotline and at customer service centres in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai and Ajman. Its development, humanitarian and charitable projects include endowments, fruit trees and mosquito nets.
Contributions to Beit Al Khair Society aid UAE people who need it most with everything from foodstuff to assisting 13,000 low-income students with education. The organisation website lists donation methods, also possible by SMS, bank transfer or calling 800 22554.
Those seeking to boost Noor Dubai Foundation's work combating preventable blindness globally can choose from various payment types on the group's online donation page, such as bank transfer, cheque, telephone or SMS. People can also simply give Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting "Noor" to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The Zakat Fund – also focused on those in need within the Emirates – is again collaborating with Abu Dhabi University for the Our Youth – Our Responsibility – Our Zakat – Our Immunity initiative.
In its 11th year, the initiative supports local and expatriate students by reducing the financial burden of education, has raised more than Dh68 million and extended aid to 3,130 students. This year, it hopes to assist 500 deserving students who are eligible Zakat recipients.
Donors can give directly to The Zakat Fund’s Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank account or ADU, using the initiative name, or send an SMS.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments, which offers religious guidance in the UAE, has an e-donation service on its website accepting debit/credit card or e-dirham. Projects include furnishing mosques and printing the Holy Quran.
One of the highest-profile holy month campaigns is the 100 Million Meals drive, launched by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives at the start of Ramadan.
Citizens and residents can donate from Dh10 to fund food parcels through Etisalat and du designated numbers – or larger donations via the campaign's call centre on 800 4999.
Several companies and organisations have already given huge sums – 78 per cent of the target amount was collected in the first week, enabling 78 million meals to be distributed to refugees, widows, orphans and poor families in 20 African, Asian and Middle East countries.
Muslims around the world are estimated to give almost $76 billion in zakat a year, and those living in the Emirates are reportedly among the most generous.
The United Nation’s Refugee Zakat Fund, which assists displaced people, recently confirmed that UAE individuals sent the fund more online contributions than any other country last year – 3,406 donations amounting to almost $3 million out of a total of $61.5m, ranking the UAE above Saudi Arabia, the US, Kuwait and Qatar in terms of donor numbers.
All Muslims who meet the “nisab” – a minimum amount of wealth held for a year, including savings and gold – are required to pay zakat.
Mr Kayed confirms the process follows specific guidelines.
“The criteria are evaluated by every individual once a year and include first reviewing basic needs are met for yourself and anyone you are financially responsible for,” he says.
If savings and gold are assessed to be over a certain amount, “this would fall into the category of ‘excess wealth’ and would require payment of 2.5 per cent to the less fortunate”.
A Muslim since she was 18, Mathilde Loujayne, now 37, enjoys giving.
She was born in France and grew up in Oman where she embraced Islam before attending university.
A UAE resident since 2002, she's the author of Big Little Steps, inspired by her journey, and says charity should be "done discreetly".
“When no one knows that you’ve donated your hard-earned money to a relief fund, you can be sure that your intention is pure,” says the mother of two.
“I like to give zakat all year around, including Ramadan when the rewards are higher, as we are encouraged to do more good deeds during the holy month.”
When no one knows that you've donated your hard-earned money to a relief fund, you can be sure that your intention is pure
Who Ms Loujayne gives to depends on “many factors”.
“I could be donating to poor people I know personally, or through friends and relatives – or if I travel to a poor country, I like to donate in person,” she says.
“I was a student when I became Muslim, so didn’t hand over money until I was in my early 20s.
“I felt an immense sense of pride and accomplishment to be able to help those in need … there’s no better feeling than the gift of giving.”
Mr Nasif says zakat destination choice depends upon whether the person or organisation being helped is among the specific categories, as zakat is given “in a very structured way to meet the obligation as one of the five acts of worship”.
“On the other hand, Muslims are free to give to charity as they wish, to whom they wish,” he adds.
Although not an official zakat charity, as executive director of Operation Smile UAE, Morag Cromey-Hawke knows the good that Ramadan’s spirit of generosity can do for young lives.
The organisation is currently celebrating 10 years of helping children suffering with a cleft palate or lip. Just Dh880 provides them with corrective surgery and transforms their lives.
“We do not directly benefit from zakat funding … although some people have donated directly to Operation Smile as their zakat contribution,” says Ms Cromey-Hawke.
“Financial donations occur throughout the year, but Ramadan is a special time for people to reflect and consider how they can help others in need.
“This year, we have a backlog of patients due to the pandemic. We hope people will be generous during Ramadan so we can do as many surgeries as possible once it is safe to resume medical missions.”
We hope people will be generous during Ramadan so we can do as many surgeries as possible
These include UAE procedures planned for June, alongside territories such as Malawi, Ethiopia and Egypt.
Depending on where donors choose to direct zakat, they are advised to check the official UAE government portal list of registered charitable organisations to ensure their money supports a licensed charity with a permit number.
While zakat can be paid any time, most Muslims understandably donate during the holy month, including Zakat Al Fitr, typically collected in the final days of Ramadan and distributed during Eid Al Fitr.
“Many Muslims tend to pay zakat in Ramadan, as it is a month in which the Almighty promised to multiply good deeds many folds,” Mr Kayed adds. “Although you can still choose to pay at any time of the year, as you see fit.”
He adds: "Most importantly, it's a yearly obligation calculated in a precise matter, without delays or deviation."
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
HEY%20MERCEDES%2C%20WHAT%20CAN%20YOU%20DO%20FOR%20ME%3F
%3Cp%3EMercedes-Benz's%20MBUX%20digital%20voice%20assistant%2C%20Hey%20Mercedes%2C%20allows%20users%20to%20set%20up%20commands%20for%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Navigation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Calls%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20In-car%20climate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Ambient%20lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Media%20controls%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Driver%20assistance%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20General%20inquiries%20such%20as%20motor%20data%2C%20fuel%20consumption%20and%20next%20service%20schedule%2C%20and%20even%20funny%20questions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThere's%20also%20a%20hidden%20feature%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20pressing%20and%20holding%20the%20voice%20command%20button%20on%20the%20steering%20wheel%20activates%20the%20voice%20assistant%20on%20a%20connected%20smartphone%20%E2%80%93%20Siri%20on%20Apple's%20iOS%20or%20Google%20Assistant%20on%20Android%20%E2%80%93%20enabling%20a%20user%20to%20command%20the%20car%20even%20without%20Apple%20CarPlay%20or%20Android%20Auto%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The%20specs
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Kill%20
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More coverage from the Future Forum
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E1.45pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Green%20Oasis%20Trading%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh50%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Meeqat%2C%20Saif%20Al%20Balushi%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Shafar%20Investment%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Flying%20Hunter%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ahmad%20bin%20Harmash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EThe%20Union%2051%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ibra%20Attack%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Shemaili%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.15pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ASCANA%20Thakaful%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh60%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Onda%20Ruggente%2C%20Royston%20Ffrench%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E3.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommercial%20Bank%20of%20Dubai%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Dignity%20Joy%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.15pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20Real%20Estate%20Centre%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh76%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tolmount%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E4.45pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJebel%20Ali%20Racecourse%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh84%2C000%20(D)%201%2C950m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERakeez%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Racecard
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more from Janine di Giovanni
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)
Fletcher 68 not out; Cutting 2-14
Sindhis 129-8 (10 ov)
Perera 47; Sohail 2-18