March 21, 2018

Emirates Islamic, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE, today announced the 2018 strategy for its Charity Fund to commemorate the legacy of the nation's founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the Year of Zayed. The bank also announced that through the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund, it contributed a total of AED 63 million in 2017 - the Year of Giving, to a number of charitable institutions and deserving causes, both locally and internationally.

Launched in 2016, the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund provides financial aid under several main areas, including food, shelter, health, education and social welfare. The Fund was set up with the primary objective of allocation of financial aid to large charities, public and private institutions, government bodies, as well as individuals in need.

Reflecting on the activities of the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund last year, Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Islamic, said: "The Year of Giving was a major step towards strengthening the UAE's position as a global humanitarian leader and as one of the nation's leading financial institutions, we have actively supported this noble initiative by The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Through the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund, we have provided financial support to several charitable, humanitarian and community activities, in keeping with the spirit of the initiative and the pillars of the Year of Giving.

"As we celebrate the humanitarian legacy of the nation's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, we reaffirm our commitment to his vision and values which have laid the foundation to a prosperous and successful UAE. To mark the Year of Zayed, we plan to expand our charitable efforts in 2018 to assist and support the less fortunate in our community and beyond," added Bin Ghalaita.

Awatif Al Harmoody, General Manager, Operational Governance, Emirates Islamic is responsible for managing the Emirates Islamic Charity fund. Outlining the plans for 2018, she added, "The Year of Zayed is a celebration of the values and legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, our nation's founder. Throughout his life, he always encouraged help and support to those in need anywhere in the world. Through the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund, we aim to honour Sheikh Zayed's vision and have outlined a number of plans for 2018, the Year of Zayed.

"This year, we aim to continue and enhance our support towards food, shelter, health, education and social welfare in the UAE and beyond. As a bank that has always been a pillar of the community, we plan to increase our community outreach, by supporting martyrs' families, the youth, orphans and families in need, not only through financial aid but also by providing them skills to earn a better livelihood. We will also financially support individuals in debt by paying for their education or medical bills. The Charity Fund will also contribute to the development of Islam and help spread its message of peace and generosity, as well as promote community related participation across the UAE and the region."

Emirates Islamic Charity Fund - Key Activities in 2017
Healthcare
As part of its ongoing commitment towards supporting the UAE healthcare industry, Emirates Islamic contributed AED 3.6 million towards medical and rehabilitation equipment to government and privately-run institutions including Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ajman Club for Disabled, and Abu Dhabi Rehabilitation and Care Center for People with Special Needs. The bank also contributed to Al Amal Hospital to launch its day care centre and to provide ambulance vehicles to the hospital's patients. Emirates Islamic also helped 40 individuals in 2017 pay for their medical treatment, which would have otherwise been out of their reach.

Social welfare
Almost 130 low-income families and individuals across the country received AED10 million in aid from Emirates Islamic Charity Fund to fulfil their basic needs. The Charity Fund also aided in the release of more than 300 inmates of various nationalities from jails across the UAE, by settling their debts or by paying 'diya' when required, in co-operation with Police Headquarters of all emirates and Sandooq Al Faraj. The bank also supported inmates who completed their jail term and didn't have the required funds, for buying air tickets for their safe return home.
Reaffirming its strong support for the UAE's heritage and culture, including fishing which has been practised by local Emirati fishermen for centuries as a traditional form of livelihood, Emirates Islamic contributed AED 200,000 to Umm Al Quwain Co-operative Society for Fishermen. The contribution supported local fishermen, keeping in mind the financial burden of the seasonal profession and the large expenses required for fishing equipment. The Bank also co-operated with General Women's Union to support women in traditional occupations.

Food
To exemplify Islam's true spirit of giving and contributing to the community in Ramadan, the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund partnered with several charitable and humanitarian organisations including Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Beit Al Khair Society, Dar Al Ber Society, Ras Al Khaimah Charity Organisation, the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and Sharjah Charity International to distribute 'Meer Ramadan' packages (essential foodstuff and commodities regularly needed during the holy month of Ramadan) to families. The Charity Fund also contributed to an iftaar organised by the Ministry of Interior's Emirates Women Police Association at the Abu Dhabi police headquarters for people with physical disabilities on Zayed Humanitarian Day, which falls on the 19th day of Ramadan every year. In addition, AED 500,000 was contributed to arrange for the Emirates Islamic 'Food for All' truck, in association with Beit Al Khair, to distribute 1,000 meals across the UAE every Friday to the less fortunate.
The bank has also contributed AED 1 million to Emirates Red Crescent's 'For You Somalia Campaign' to provide food, water, medicine and other necessities to help around 36,000 Somali children survive a severe famine.
Furthermore, the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) has received a contribution of AED 500,000 from Emirates Islamic in support of the Salma Humanitarian Relief programme that aims to distribute millions of halal meals to victims of conflicts and wars globally, and is implemented in cooperation with several national entities.

Education
In line with the UAE Vision 2021 which has education at its foundation, Emirates Islamic has contributed more than AED 2 million to help underprivileged families pay for their children's school and university fees. In total, the bank has helped 100 school, undergraduate, and graduate students from Ajman University, Abu Dhabi University, and University of Sharjah who are facing financial problems to complete their education and obtain their degrees, enabling them to seek employment and improve their overall living standards. Emirates Islamic has also joined hands with Dubai Cares in their endeavour to ensure the wellbeing of Rohingya refugee children who have fled their homeland and made the perilous journey to neighbouring Bangladesh to seek refuge. Through its contribution of AED 1 million, the bank has ensured that the Rohingya refugee children, who have suffered so much in this conflict, gain access to education, in a safe and nurturing environment.
Moreover, the bank contributed AED 200,000 to the Ministry of Community Development as part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts towards people with cognitive disabilities. The amount was used for the development of the Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain autism centres.

Shelter
To further improve the overall quality of life for Emirati families and help them achieve their dreams, the bank has contributed AED 2.2 million to Zayed Housing Program. The contribution benefitted UAE nationals - particularly widows and orphans - who needed financial support to build homes, or repay housing loans, as a result of the death of the head of the family, or other challenging situations.