GIVING has always brought out the best in people. Throughout the decades, people have sought different opportunities to give back to human kind. There is little doubt that the amount of charities have increased, placing a greater need for the generosity of the general public. And with the widespread use of smartphones, there has been an ease to the process of giving, as people use their devices to research, shop, but more importantly donate. According to a report in Forbes in 2013, the event of such online services as PayPal had led to an increase in the amount of charitable donations being given. Charity work The holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims worldwide fast during daylight hours and abstain from other pleasures, is also the month where Muslims contribute to charity work, and donations for the less fortunate. Nasif Kayed, managing director of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Cultural Understanding said: “Charity is never obligatory; it is always additional. There's no twisting your arm to do good.” But Nasir said there was a noticeable increase in charitable work during the holy month. “We wish the whole year was this way. That's one of the main purposes of Ramadan, to entice people to do good and to continue throughout the year.” All Muslims, who can afford it, are required to contribute a proportion of their wealth in the shape of Zakat — one of the five pillars of Islam. Nasir explained: “There are two types of Zakat. At the end of Ramadan there is Zakat Al-Fitr. The other type of Zakat is the two-and-a-half percent of your income. You don't have to necessarily do that in Ramadan. “Charity is never obligatory; it is always additional. There's no twisting your arm to do good.” Up to the individual He said Muslims believed it was preferred and encouraged for them to be charitable, but that ultimately it was up to the individual whether they did. Nasir added that Zakat Al-Fitr also required every Muslim to feed another on the morning of Eid. He explained: “As long as you have food, shelter, and clothes that day than you must provide for someone else who doesn't have these things. This way everyone eats the morning of Eid. Nobody goes hungry.” So what types of causes do people generally contribute to? Nasir explained there was a range. He said: “Number one is feeding people, secondly clothing people, and finally housing them — no one should be homeless — especially in places like Syria, Iraq, and Nepal. You have to go after these people.” As Nasir explained people engage in charitable work during the holy month of Ramadan, such as cooking for people that are less fortunate. Many mosques and community centers offer after — the meal that breaks the fast every day. And many international and national charity organizations take advantage of this month to provide for their various causes. In the UAE there is a particular drive by the community to help those less well off, including laborers – each year hundreds donate food, bedding, toiletries and clothes which are then handed out to workers as care packages. Saher Sheikh, from Adopt-A-Camp foundation, the international organization that works on improving the living conditions of labor camps, said many people participated in the different programs they offered, such as workshops in English and hygiene, as well as scholarship programs. “Whenever Ramadan rolls around, we see a huge spike in the corporate social program. A lot of companies get in touch, they tend to push funds during Ramdan,” Saher stated. “During our work, I get to meet the nicest people,” she added. Collection drives Regulars in Dubai's shopping malls will be all too familiar with the collection boxes where people are able to drop off items they want to donate – ranging from clothes – to books, and technical goods. The boxes are provided by Dubai Cares, which carry out the collections annually during Ramadan. Dubai Cares works to improve children's access to quality primary education in developing countries. Launched by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2007, the charity is working towards the UAE's commitment to achieving the UN goals of guaranteed universal primary education and gender equality by 2015. Last year Dubai Cares held the ‘What If' Campaign, where the difficulties children face in developing countries and the impact that lack of education holds for their future were highlighted. People were encouraged to donate 50 dirhams to buy a colorful brick, which was then used to help build a mock classroom. A Dubai Cares spokeswoman said: “Everyone participates in Ramadan, every resident tries to give. This is the month of giving, nothing beats that.” — Al Arabiya News
