Community is ‘obliged’ to care for orphans in the UAE

Around 200 youngsters in the care of the Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charity were given gifts on Monday as part of an event to mark Arab Orphans Day, held at Ajman Museum.

Children after taking their gifts in the International orphans day celebration at the Ajman Old Museum in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

AJMAN // Caring for orphans and helping to give them a safe and comfortable life is an obligation for everyone in the community, said a children’s charity.

About 200 youngsters in the care of the Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charity were given gifts yesterday as part of an event to mark Arab Orphans Day, held at Ajman Museum.

“Putting a smile on the face of an orphan is a good deed encouraged by Islam and our beloved Prophet,” said Sheikha Azza Al Nuaimi, director general of the charity.

“These gifts are part of the package that makes these children happy and we are celebrating this day every year to entertain our children and assure them that we shall always be there for them.”

Sheikha Azza said the charity’s priority was to educate parentless children and ensure they have a bright future by sponsoring their education, giving their carers a monthly allowance and taking care of any health problems.

As well as aiding orphans, the charity also provides financial assistance to poor families, divorced and widowed women and elderly people in Ajman. It also helps with repair work to dilapidated homes belonging to local poor people.

Sheikh Humaid bin Ammar Al Nuaimi, the son of Ajman’s crown Prince Sheikh Ammar, handed out gifts to the orphans. “I’m grateful to stand here before all of you and honour these young children,” said Sheikh Humaid. “I would also like to thank the charity organisers for bringing joy and pride into the lives of our children.”

Umm Mohammed, an Emirati widow who attended the ceremony with her five-year-old daughter, said the charity had been providing financial assistance for her and her two children ever since her husband died three years ago.

“They take care of their schooling and give us some welfare money for upkeep,” she said. “We are all very grateful to Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid for taking care of us and we pray that God accepts all his good deeds and the generosity he has bestowed upon us.”