A total of 34 percent of all cash contributions to charities in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries take place in Ramadan, according to a study carried out by the International Center for Research and Studies “Medad”. The month of Rabi Al-Awwal came in second position at 28.4 percent and Dhul Hijja third at 11.6 percent. Dr. Khalid Abdullah Al-Serehi, Director General of “Medad”, said that the study also disclosed Ramadan came first, at 24.4 percent, when it came to in-kind contributions. Muharram came in second at 12.4 percent followed by Dhul Qadah at eight percent, Serehi added. The most in-kind contributions came in the form of food at 30.6 percent; clothes, shoes and blankets at 15.5 percent; and devices and medical aid at 12.1 percent. Fahad Mohammad Al-Zahrani, Assistant Manager of the Zamzam Charitable Society, said that Muslims give more in Ramadan because they expect double rewards for their good deeds. The Jeddah-based “Medad” center was established to conduct scientific research on charitable initiatives in the country. The aim is to improve charity to the needy. __
