An education fund launched in the UAE by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to help disadvantaged families around the world has exceeded its Dh1 billion ($272 million) target.
Sheikh Mohammed on Tuesday announced the Mothers' Endowment Campaign had received contributions worth Dh1.4 billion so far during Ramadan – Dh400 million over the target – with one week to go until Eid Al Fitr.
Contributions doubled in a week, after Dh770 million was raised in the first two weeks of the campaign.
"As we approach the final days of the blessed month of Ramadan, we are delighted to conclude an initiative that engaged hundreds of thousands to honour mothers, the Mothers' Endowment," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.
"Contributions to this endowment exceeded Dh1.4 billion during the holy month, providing perpetual educational endowment and ongoing charity for mothers in the UAE. May this initiative bless our endeavours and journeys."
Sheikh Mohammed said "a mother remains a paradise, a path to paradise, and nothing can ever suffice to repay her".
He added: "We will always and forever celebrate her."
The Mothers' Endowment campaign was created to provide educational materials, launch social programmes and equip schools.
It coincides with Ramadan and is inspired by the role mothers play in society, with people in the UAE encouraged to make donations in their mothers' names.
An Emirati businessman pledged Dh150 million this week to build a charitable health centre in Dubai in support of the campaign.
The major donation by Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni was announced on Sunday at an event attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
The proceeds from the planned endowment health complex will be invested into the charitable projects of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which is overseeing the Mothers' Endowment scheme.
Sheikh Hamdan, who is also vice chairman of the board of trustees of MBRGI, praised Mr Al Zarooni and other Emirati entrepreneurs for investing in the UAE's philanthropic vision.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
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