Honoring Fathers: A Ramadan Charity Campaign
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of a new charity campaign dedicated to honoring fathers. The initiative, named Fathers’ Endowment, aims to create a sustainable fund valued at one billion dirhams (Dh), with the revenue supporting healthcare for the poor, needy, and those who cannot afford treatment.
Sheikh Mohammed not only announced the campaign but also shared his thoughts with UAE residents through a touching video and message. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he emphasized that a father is the first role model, the first support, and the first teacher. He is a source of strength, wisdom, and security for both young and old in everyone's life. During the holy month of Ramadan, fathers will be celebrated by creating a sustainable charity fund dedicated to the treatment of the sick and the healthcare of the needy. The campaign encourages everyone to contribute to this noble cause, thereby strengthening family bonds and giving back to society.
The Fathers' Endowment campaign is being unveiled alongside the Year of Community initiative announced by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, aimed at strengthening family bonds and social solidarity. This campaign is also part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), which has launched several impactful humanitarian initiatives.
Last year's success: A campaign honoring mothers
Fathers’ Endowment is not the first initiative of its kind. Last year, during the same period, Sheikh Mohammed announced the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, which also established a one-billion-dirham fund honoring mothers. This campaign allowed people to donate in their mothers’ names, with the proceeds going to sustainable educational support for disadvantaged individuals and communities. The campaign generated enormous attention, successfully raising over 1.4 billion dirhams.
Past successes of MBRGI
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) has long been a leading force in humanitarian aid in the UAE and worldwide. Previous campaigns include the 10 Million Meals campaign in 2020, which resulted in over 15.3 million meals distributed; the 100 Million Meals campaign in 2021, which contributed to 220 million meals; the 1 Billion Meals campaign in 2022, which achieved its goal in a month; and the 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign in 2023, which raised 1.075 billion dirhams.
Why are these campaigns important?
Ramadan is not only a month of fasting and prayer but also a time of charity and solidarity. The UAE leaders have, for years, prioritized social responsibility and humanitarian aid. The Fathers’ Endowment and Mothers’ Endowment campaigns provide not only financial support but also symbolic significance: they celebrate the central role of families and remind us of the profound impact parents have on their children's and society's lives.
Sheikh Mohammed's campaign sends a clear message: the UAE seeks leadership not only in economic and technological terms but also in human and social values. During Ramadan, everyone has the opportunity to participate in this collective effort and contribute to the formation of a better and more just world.
How to contribute?
As part of the campaign, anyone can contribute to the Fathers’ Endowment fund, whether through individual donations or corporate sponsorships. The revenue will support the healthcare of the needy, including hospital development, medication procurement, and treatment financing. This initiative provides not just material assistance but also strengthens community solidarity, reminding everyone that family and health are essential values for all of us.
In the spirit of Ramadan, this campaign offers yet another opportunity to give back to society, and to celebrate those who have shaped our lives—be it fathers, mothers, or all that family stands for.
